"Such is nature that we all begrudge another's having as much as we have. Everyone acquires all he
can and lets others look out for themselves. Yet we all pretend to be upright. We know how to put up
a fine front to conceal our rascality. We think up artful dodges and sly tricks (better and better ones
are being devised daily) under the guise of justice. We brazenly dare to boast of it, and insist that is
should not be called rascality but shrewdness and business acumen." Dr. Martin Luther
I John 2:15-17
A. Lust of the Flesh= Sinful desire which arises from within a person and seek to gratify self.
B. Lust of the Eyes= A desire for sin which reaches beyond the sin a person can actually commit.
C. Pride of Life= Seeking to exalt oneself above God and His will, and therefore attempting to be something you are
not.
These three categories of sin encompass all sin. When we are tempted it is in one of these
three areas; flesh, eyes, or pride. These are the same temptations which all people experience.
The same temptations which Jesus Himself experienced, therefore He is able to give us aid and
strength against them.
Illustration of this pattern of Temptation:
1) Adam and Eve in the Garden; Genesis 3:1-7
2) Israel as a nation; Numbers 31:16 & 24:1-9
3) Jesus; Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13
4) Ourselves ?
What do our eyes hunger for?
Exodus 20:17
Ninth Commandment; Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.
Tenth Commandment; Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, not his
manservant, not his maidservant, nor his cattle, not anything that is thy neighbor's.
1) God's Word Concerning "Lust Of The Eyes."
James 1:14-15;
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11;
Matthew 5:28;
Galatians 5:19-21
Proverbs 15:27; 21:2; 23:5; 27:20
2) Examples Of The Consequences From "Lust Of The Eyes."
Joshua 7:21; Achan
I Samuel 15:8-9; King Saul
II Samuel 11:2-4; King David
II Samuel 15:1-6; Absalom
Genesis 6:2 & II Corinthians 6:14
3) God's Word To Us.
Romans 7:7
Psalms 119:33-40 (36)
Matthew 6:19-34
Psalm 101:3a
Proverbs 6:20-26
An Example For Us To Follow; Job 31:1