07.13.09
The Devil wants to trick us! We’re not stupid, how do we keep getting fooled?
He plays to our old nature. As we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks he appeals to the cravings that already exist in us - hedonism. Then he capitalizes on all the cool stuff we see – materialism. According to 1 John 2:16 there’s a third area that he uses against us – pride.
1 John 2:16 NIV “For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the father but from the world.”
Pride is birthed from self focus and quickly creates competition over who is in charge. The verse in the original Greek literally means, “the pretension of human life.” It is the guy making sure that everyone knows that trophy belongs to him. “Look at me and all I’ve accomplished.” It is only a partially accurate view of who I am. It doesn’t acknowledge all the other people that helped me succeed or the role that God played in my success. It also sadly, places much weight on things that don’t matter – look at verse 17.
“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” When we well up with pride over our accomplishments and acquisitions it’s like a kook bragging about a white-water ride.
Surfing is a beautiful thing. Don’t let Satan destroy it and you by your cravings, the lust of your eyes or the pride of life. Instead, see surfing and all you do in the context of eternity and do all unto the glory of God.
SPECIAL PRAYER - Please pray as CSUS will be serving the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation this week at Pipeline for a Cure. Also pray for God's grace to touch surfers that are battling Cystic Fibrosis. More details
