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1 Peter 4:11 – Speaking and Ministering

Posted on February 19, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Truth to Learn

All ministering that we do within the church should glorify God, not us!

Behind the Words

The word translated “oracles” is logia. This is related to logos, meaning “a word,” but it specifically refers to “an utterance.”

“Ability” is from the Greek word ischus, which refers to “physical strength or mental power.”

Meaning Explained

Now Peter gets specific about two very important types of gifts in the body; the speaking gifts and the serving gifts. The speaking gifts are those which involve the use of words. These could be preaching, teaching, counseling, encouraging, singing, or other verbal functions within the body of Christ. Peter tells us that if we are using any speaking gift within the church we should treat our words as the very utterances of God.

This is an awesome responsibility for those of us who have speaking responsibilities in the Church and is not to be taken lightly. First, we must be sure it is because of God’s gift that we are speaking. Then, we need to be certain that what we are saying is, in fact, the message that God wants us to deliver. It must be consistent with what is taught throughout the Bible. Therefore, the words that come out of our mouths should only be words that would come out of God’s mouth. Think about that the next time you are asked to present special music at your church or the next time you teach a Sunday school lesson.

The other gifts that Peter is talking about in today’s verse are the serving gifts. Though not always as visible as the speaking gifts, they are just as important. For instance, those who serve in the nursery so that others can receive the spoken message without distraction are doing a mighty service to God and to the church. Just because these gifts are behind the scenes doesn’t mean that they are any less blessed, any less important, or any less needful of the enabling gifts from God.

Whatever we do within and for the body of Christ is a type of service, and Peter says something critically important about it. He says that we are to do it with the ability that God has given us. That means that there are things within the body of Christ that you or I shouldn’t do. Unfortunately, there are people within the church who have taken on responsibilities that they shouldn’t have taken on, but they don’t know how to say “no” to those who ask them.

How do we know what areas of ministry we should be involved with in our church? Peter even gives the answer to this question. If we can do it so that God will be glorified, then we should do it. If it is for personal glory, we shouldn’t!

Application

We all need to be actively serving the body in one way or another, but we need to be involved

“… so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ …”

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

1 Peter 4:10 – Ministering Gifts

Posted on February 18, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Truth to Learn

God has given every Christian gifts. These are to be shared with the rest of the church, liberally and humbly.

Behind the Words

The expression “one another” is translated from the Greek word hekastos, which means “each one,” but it has the force of a superlative (as in good … better … best, better is a comparative and best is a superlative). So we could translate this word as “each and every one of you.”

“Gift” is the from the Greek word charisma, which means “a gift,” that is, “something which is bestowed gratuitously.” Some translations have this as “the gift,” but the definite article (the) is not in the original. So, this is not talking about some specific gift, rather any gift which God has bestowed on you. These gifts can be spiritual gifts such as are talked about in 1 Cor 12:4-10, (i.e. wisdom, faith, and knowledge), or in Ephesians 4:8-13 (i.e. evangelism, teaching, and pastoring). But these could also be any possession (spiritual, physical, or mental) which God has bestowed on you.

“Minister” is from the Greek word diakoneō (the word from which we get our English word deacon). This word means “to run errands, to wait on (like a waiter in a restaurant), or to serve.”

The word translated as “stewards” is oikonomos, which means “house manager” or “overseer,” one who is entrusted with the care of something belonging to someone else.

The word “manifold” is from poikilos, meaning “variegated” or “many faceted.” It means that God gives various different gifts to individual members of the body of Christ as He determines.

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse Peter continues his description of how we should agape-love each other. He starts out by talking about something that each one of us should do: we should minister to one another. That is to say that we should learn to be each other’s servant. Peter intends that all Christians are included in this call to action.

After all, the gifts that Peter is talking about are not things that we have earned ourselves, but things that God has entrusted to us. Peter makes that very clear when he admonishes us to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” The gifts (abilities, talents, possessions, etc.) are bestowed upon us by the graciousness of God Himself and, as Peter points out in this verse, are to be shared in a ministering manner within the body of Christ. Hence, you can see that everything we have is really a gift from God, and we are entrusted to use and take care of these gifts for the good of the church universal.

If we put this all together, we see that Peter is telling us that we are to unselfishly serve one another (Christians) with the gifts that God has freely bestowed on us (spiritual or material) in a manner that will please and glorify God.

Application

Are you sharing with the rest of the church the gifts and abilities that God has given to you? Or are you a Christian sponge, taking in all that others give you (materially or spiritually) but not giving anything back to the body of Christ? God wants you to share liberally with other Christians.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:9 – Christian Hospitality

Posted on February 17, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:9

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Truth to Learn

We should be hospitable to other Christians simply because we love them.

Behind the Words

The word translated “hospitable” is the Greek word philoxenos, which is made up of philos, meaning “fondness” or “kindness” and xenos, meaning “a stranger.” Hence, it carries the idea of being kind and inviting to others, even to those you don’t know very well.

“Complaint” is translated from the Greek word gongusmos, which means “the expression of secret and sullen discontent, murmuring, or complaining.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is short and to the point. It is actually a continuation of yesterday’s verse, specifically describing some of the actions that should result from our agape type of love for one another which we reviewed yesterday. Part of considering the well being of others above our own, as Peter tells us, is being hospitable to one another. Within the church this is characterized by opening our homes to one another and getting together for fellowship.

Peter takes this even one step further by saying that we should do this without complaint. In other words, we shouldn’t expect others to be hospitable to us just because we are to them, and we shouldn’t complain about the hardship or time or expense we have laid out to be hospitable to others. Rather, we should do it cheerfully, expecting nothing in return.

Another possible interpretation of what Peter is telling us is that our time of hospitality and fellowship should not be used for murmuring or complaining about others. It should never be used as an excuse to gossip about or attack someone who is not present.

The Apostle Paul said a similar thing in his letter to the Roman Christians:

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:13)

And in his letter to Titus, Paul said:

but [be] hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, (Titus 1:8)

The basic idea that Peter is conveying to us is that we should be quick to share God’s blessing on us with others of like faith. We are not to be a friend of the world, and the world certainly will not be friendly to us if we are holding forth a faithful witness for our God. Therefore, we should be providing friendship, fellowship, and communion with other believers, and it should be done cheerfully with a complete absence of discontent.

Application

Let us be quick to share God’s blessing on us with others. Be a friend to others in the church, especially those who are not able to repay you. Show God’s love to all who call themselves Christian.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:8 – Demonstrate Fervent Love

Posted on February 16, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Truth to Learn

Love means forgetting your own pain in order to help a brother or sister grow in grace.

Behind the Words

The expression “above all things” is translated from the Greek words pro pantōn. The word pro means “before.” It can refer to place, time, or importance. In this case, it refers to importance. The word pantōn means “all things.” Hence, Peter is literally saying “before all things,” that is, having more importance than all other things.

“Love” is translated from agapē, which in fact does mean “love.” But it is only one of several Greek words that are translated that way. The best way to describe this type of love is that it is the kind of love which is more concerned about the well being of the loved one than of self.

The word “fervent” is from the Greek word ektenēs, which literally means “stretched out.” As used here it means “continual or intense.”

The word translated “cover” is kaluptō, which means “to hide or cover.” The opposite of this is the Greek word apokaluptō, meaning “to uncover” or “to reveal” from which we get our English word apocalypse.

Meaning Explained

Since we know that our time is short, as stated in the previous verse, we need to be serious and dedicate ourselves to prayer. But, Peter tells us in this verse, of greater importance than even these things, we need to have fervent love for one another. Since Peter is writing this letter to Christians (1Peter 1:1, 2), it means that we are to love our fellow Christians with a self-sacrificing love, being more concerned for their well-being than our own. But it’s not just love, it’s “fervent love” that we are to have for one another.

Why are we commanded to have fervent love for each other? Peter says it’s because love covers (or hides) a multitude of sins. This is not to say that we are to ignore the sins of a brother or sister. It means that we are to love each other this way so that we will be gracious and forgiving of each other’s faults. We need to be more concerned about the well-being of our Christian brothers and sisters than our own selfish motives and feelings. If a brother of sister is living in sin, we have a responsibility to approach him or her in a loving (agapē) manner with his or her ultimate good in mind. It also means that when a brother or sister sins against us, we need to be more concerned for their spiritual well-being than our own bruised selfish pride. Again, it doesn’t mean that we ignore the offense; rather, it means that we approach the offender in a loving (agapē) way to let him or her know that they injured us, having already forgiven them and freed them of any blame.

Keep in mind that love is an action verb, not just a feeling. In light of what Peter just told us in the previous verse (“the end is near” and “be watchful in prayer”), we should consistently demonstrate fervent love to our Christian brothers and sisters.

Application

When we approach a Christian brother or sister who is living in sin or who has offended us, we need to do it while standing in their shoes. We need to confront them lovingly the way we would want someone to treat us if the tables were turned.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:7 – End-Time Actions

Posted on February 15, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:7

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Truth to Learn

The end is very near, so be serious about what you do and how you pray.

Behind the Words

The word translated “end” is telos, which is derived from the verb tellō, meaning “to set out for the goal or target.” Hence, telos refers to “the goal, the end, or the completion.”

“Is at hand” is from the Greek verb engidzō, which means “to approach or to make near.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, but the emphasis is on the effect. Hence, it means that the end has approached and, therefore, is now close at hand.

Meaning Explained

There is some disagreement as to what Peter means by “the end of all things is at hand.” There are three predominant views. The first is that Peter is referring to the end of the Jewish temple worship in Jerusalem. In Peter’s mind, as in the minds of many early church believers, Christianity was simply an extension of the Jewish belief system. At the time of the writing of this epistle (around 65 AD), the Roman government was increasingly displeased with the Jewish resistance to Roman rule. As it turns out, not many years after the publication of this letter, the Jewish temple along with much of the city of Jerusalem was, in fact, destroyed by the Romans.

The second interpretation of this phrase is that it refers to the coming of the Messiah to judge the nations. It was the belief of the early church that the return of Christ was not a distant future event, rather something that could occur at any time.

The third interpretation is that Peter simply means the end of earthly life for the suffering believers to whom he is writing. This interpretation seems to lend itself to the subject matter that Peter has been talking about in the previous verses; although, any of the interpretations could be valid.

However you interpret the opening phrase of this verse, the message from Peter is that since time is running short we need to take some specific action. There is something sobering about believing the end is near that causes us to take stock of our lives, knowing how quickly life can end.

Peter is telling us to take stock now, since time is short. Be sober minded and let our sober attitude result in prayers. We Christians have a hope that the world doesn’t understand. We know that existence doesn’t end when we die. In fact, for a Christian, that is when it really begins. What we have here on this earth is simply the preliminary part of our lives when we will determine how the eternal part is spent.

Life on this earth is short; it can end quickly, and Jesus Christ could return at any moment. All the prophetic events that precede His return have occurred with the exception of the rapture of His church. Let us not waste our last remaining days on this earth with frivolous activities. Instead, let us be sober minded and spend our time in watchful prayer, especially for those who have not yet received the gift of salvation.

Application

The end is near! Therefore, let us watch… and pray… and witness, with our lives as well as our mouths!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:6 – Dead, But Alive

Posted on February 12, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:6

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Truth to Learn

The ultimate price to pay for our faith (our life) may be what pleases God the most.

Behind the Words

There is a word that is left out of most translations, though is in the original Greek text, which lends meaning to the latter half of this verse. It is the particle men. When coupled with de, it produces what is called a correlative conjunction. The meaning is “on the one hand” (men), “but on the other hand” (de). Thus, the second half of this verse reads:

that on the one hand they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but on the other hand they might live according to God in the spirit.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is another tricky one so let’s look at it carefully. Peter starts out with the expression, “For this reason.” Peter is not referring to the thing just said, rather to the thing about to be said (the latter part of this verse).

The phrase, “was preached also to those who are dead …” is a somewhat debated expression that some believe refers to Christ going into Hell to preach to the dead spirits in prison (see notes on 1Peter 3:19,20). What this means instead is that the gospel was previously preached to those who are now physically dead (though spiritually alive). I believe that this interpretation is also borne out by the remainder of the verse.

Peter is saying that the gospel was preached in the past to some who are now physically dead; although, because they believed the gospel, they are spiritually alive. Therefore, they may have been judged by men and put to death for their faith and actions, but they continue to live spiritually (eternally) according to the judgment of God (they are declared righteous). This interpretation also fits in with what Peter has been talking about in the past few verses and seems to sum-up what he has been saying. And because it is summed-up, Peter goes on to another thought in the following verse.

There are many Christians who have been judged as heretics or as evil doers because they followed God’s teaching instead of what the church leaders claimed as truth. The Reformation is filled with such examples, and even in the early church many were put to death for holding forth the truth instead of the party line of the religious rulers. The Apostle Paul, himself, was responsible for such condemnation and martyrdom of believers before he was confronted by the truth on the road to Damascus.

Peter has been telling us that though we may go through suffering at times, even at the hands of those who think they are doing God’s work, we should take such suffering patiently just as Christ did when He suffered for us. And even if we are to lose our lives for our faithful witness, God will be glorified and will be pleased with us for being faithful unto death.

Application

Let us be faithful and suffer patiently. And, if we do suffer for being faithful, let it be because we are faithful to God rather than to ourselves or others around us.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:5 – Divine Vengeance

Posted on February 11, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:5

They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Truth to Learn

When we are slandered by others for doing what God wants, we need to remember that He will judge them some day.

Behind the Words

The words “will give” are translated from the verb apodidōmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “away” or “from” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines this word as, “To give or to do something necessary in fulfillment of an obligation or expectation.” The word is used here in the future tense, active voice, and indicative mood. This implies future action that will (not might) take place.

“Ready” is translated from etoimos, which is an adverb indicating “readiness, having made all the necessary preparations.”

Meaning Explained

Those with whom you used to charge headlong into sin, those who are now railing on you for leaving such practices, will have to give account of themselves to the Great Judge some day. Peter is reiterating the fact that there is but one righteous judge, and as he previously said of Christ:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him who judges righteously. (1 Peter 2:23)

Likewise, we need to be prepared to receive such slanderous accusations at the hands of others from whom we have separated ourselves.

If we are being obedient to God, there will be times when we are asked to cease doing things that are glorifying man instead of God (for this truly is idolatry). Those from whom we separate will not understand why we have done such a thing. They may very well slander us and our Lord, whether we’re aware of it or not, and we are to expect it. We are to suffer patiently for having done the right thing, knowing that it is they who will have to give account of such slander to the Righteous One who will judge all mankind one day. And, that judge will be none other than Jesus Christ Himself:

And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He [Jesus of Nazareth] who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: (2Timothy 4:1)

So let us suffer patiently and humble ourselves before the One who has said:

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Hebrews 10:30)

Application

Can you think of a time when you were obedient to God and then suffered due to the words of others who felt injured by your obedience? If so, you have suffered for righteousness sake, and you are blessed, as Peter told us in 1Peter 3:14.

You are pleasing to God.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:4 – Unfriendly Recognition

Posted on February 10, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:4

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

Truth to Learn

Leaving old habits behind comes at a cost.

Behind the Words

The word translated “they think it strange” is the Greek word xenidzō, which is derived from xenos, meaning “a stranger or a foreigner.” Hence, this word can mean “to receive a stranger as a guest” or “to perceive someone or something as strange.”

“You do not run with them” is translated from the word suntrechō, which is a compound of sun, meaning “together with” and threchō, which means “to walk hastily” or “to run.” Hence, it means “to fraternize, run around with, or be in harmony with others.”

The word translated “flood” is anachusin, meaning “to pour out again,” but it has come to mean “excessive indulgence.” In classical Greek, this word is used to describe the tides which repeatedly come back with flooding again and again.

The word translated “dissipation” is asotias, which literally means “not saved like.”

The participle “speaking evil,” meaning “to vilify or to rail on,” although placed at the end of the verse for emphasis, could be moved back with the other verb. Hence, this verse could read:

In these things they think it strange and they rail on you because you are not running together with them into the same unsaved-like excessive indulgence.

Meaning Explained

Most of us have had the experience where under the conviction of the Holy Spirit we have stopped doing some activity that was inconsistent with our life as a faithful Christian. In some cases we have experienced the wrathful tongue of those with whom we had previously joined ourselves, not simply wondering why we stopped doing it with them, but actually attacking us verbally as if we had accused them of wrongdoing.

You will recall in the previous verse Peter included idolatry along with other descriptions of obvious unchristian-like behavior. When we get caught up in any kind of behavior that has a greater importance than God, it becomes idolatry. It then takes our focus away from God, but it often happens so gradually that we aren’t even aware of it. Such things aren’t sinful in themselves, but they are sinful in their effects on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we finally realize that we need to quit and get our focus back on God, our friends (even Christian friends) often will not understand.

Peter tells us this reaction is to be expected. When we turn away from the types of excesses and idolatry described in the previous verse, those with whom we did these things will notice, and their words may not be kind in telling us so.

Application

If this has happened to you as a result of your putting an end to some unchristian-like behavior, then you should drop to your knees and say a couple of prayers. The first is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise that God has rescued you from it. And the second, that He would open the eyes of those who are still engaged in such activity so as to draw them out of it as well.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:3 – Wasted Pleasure

Posted on February 9, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:3

For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

Truth to Learn

We’ve wasted enough time; now let’s focus on serving God.

Behind the Words

“Lewdness” is translated from the Greek word aselgeia, which literally means “not having control.” It is used primarily with regard to sexual appetite and is sometimes translated as “wantonness.”

We saw the word “lusts” in the previous verse. It is the Greek word epithumia, meaning “excessive or uncontrolled desires.”

“Drunkenness” comes from the Greek word oinophlugia, which literally means “overflowing wine,” but by application it means “excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.”

“Revelries” is translated from the Greek word kōmos, which means “carousing” or “reveling,” implying a “letting loose of control.”

The word translated “drinking parties” is from the Greek word potos, which means a getting together for the purpose of getting drunk.

And finally, “abominable idolatries” comes from the Greek, athemitois eidōlolatreiais, which literally means “illegal image worship.” It refers to “the worship of anything other than God.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that we should no longer live for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. He now tells us that it’s time for change. We’ve spent enough time living like the ungodly to know that’s not the will of God. We did these things in the past enough to know that they don’t give us true happiness and certainly don’t give us peace. All they really do is produce amnesia, headache, and heartache.

We could probably sum up Peter’s description of these activities as illicit sexual activity, drunkenness, partying, and the worship of things instead of God. That’s how many of us lived before we were saved. Peter is saying that our past indulgences are to be put behind us so we can live unto God. None of these things is what God wants of us.

However, it’s easy for many of us to say, “I never committed any illicit sexual activity. I never got drunk, and I never went to wild parties, so this doesn’t apply to me.” What we often fail to see in this verse is that Peter groups “the worship of things other than God” in the same category as those other things.

Have you ever possessed anything that was so important to you that you would do anything to hang on to it, or that you spent so much time on that it made you forget about your commitments to God? These are all idols. I once had a car that was like that to me, and God had to tarnish my idol for me.

Application

As a Christian your life should not be characterized by the “party scene.” But remember, anything that distracts us from our focus on God is an idol, and our Heavenly Father considers that just as horrific as wild, sexual, drunken partying. Ouch!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:2 – Stop That Lust

Posted on February 8, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:2

that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Truth to Learn

He suffered and died for us, let us suffer and live for Him.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse Peter told us to “arm” ourselves with the same “mind.” Let’s look at these two words. “Arm” is translated from the Greek word hoplidzō, meaning “to equip with armament.” It is expressed in the imperative mood indicating a command. The implication of the verb is that we should start doing so right now.

The word translated “mind” is ennoia, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” and nous, meaning “the mind.” Therefore this word means “that which is in the mind,” hence, “thoughts” or “understanding.”

In today’s verse, the words “no longer” are from the Greek word mēketi, made up of mē, meaning “not” and eti, meaning “anymore” or “yet.” Hence, it means “not anymore.”

“Flesh” is translated from the Greek word sarx, which refers to “the flesh of a living creature.” Hence, Peter is referring to the remainder of time that we are living on this earth.

The word “lusts” is one that we have seen before. It is translated from the Greek epithumia, which is made up of epi, meaning “over” and a form of thumos, which refers to “a violent motion or passion of the mind.” Hence, epithumia refers to “an overly strong desire of the mind.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter told us, “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” This doesn’t mean that we will never commit a sin again. Rather, Peter is telling us that when we are suffering, though we have done nothing wrong, and we are doing so patiently, we are not letting our sin nature control us.

In the current verse, Peter completes that thought. Since we have the same understanding as Christ, that this suffering is God’s will, then we should:

live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

In other words, for the remainder of the time that we are living our earthly life, we should not be living for the lusts of men but for the will of God. Well, what are these lusts of men? According to the Apostle John they are:

the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16)

So it’s not just sexual lust we are talking about, but all those desires that we have that cause us to focus on ourselves rather than God. It includes the overly strong desire for food, for pleasure, for “stuff” like a new car or a new house, or a new kitchen, or a new boat, or the desire to be admired because of a position of prominence. It’s anything that focuses on “me.”

Application

Let us not waste our few remaining years on this earth satisfying ourselves, that is, our fleshly lusts. Let us, instead, seek out ways to be obedient to the will of God so as to bring Him glory! After all, He suffered and died for us, let us suffer and live for Him!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –