The Three Worldly Desires

 In this verse, we receive a strong warning against the many influences of the world and our fallen, fleshly nature, which conflicts with all that is holy and true. As Christians, we have been forgiven of all our sins for the sake of Christ. Because of our faith in His sacrifice on the Cross, when He took the punishment for our sins, God looks at us through our covering of Christ, and because of Him we are declared righteous.
 Christ's great sacrifice demands our willing and joyful love, but godly love and our love for God is incompatible with our fleshly desires and a lust for the things of this world. Everything that the world has to offer is described in this verse in one of three ways: 1) The lust of the flesh. 2) The lust of the eyes. 3) The pride of life.
 The Three Worldly Desires that secured the downfall of Eve are the same three fleshly appetites that invade our hearts and lives, and too often cause our own downfall, but all emanate from worldly principles and philosophes and are not from our Father in heaven.
 We are not of this world system and have received all we need for life and godliness. Let us live as unto the Lord in thought, word, deed and motive, for the glory of God and our eternal benefit.
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the important instructions in the first letter of John and the dangers of being influenced by the things of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the boastful pride of life. Keep our eyes looking to Jesus and our hearts pure before You. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.