Verse of the Month: Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Silent Prayer
Just what is Paul referring to when he talks about the pattern of this world?
To help us understand the world’s pattern we need to go to 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 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. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Everybody say “satisfaction, stuff, and swag.” As I see it, these are the pursuits of the world-satisfaction, stuff, and swag. Let’s take a look at all three and compare them to the will of God for the life of a believer.
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The Pattern of this World-SATISFACTION
In I John 1:16, John begins defining the world’s pattern by talking about the cravings of sinful man. Other translations use the phrase, “the lust of the flesh” to describe these cravings. What we are talking about is everything that is appealing to our fleshly appetites that demands satisfaction. However, the problem is that the flesh is never satisfied. I am talking about things like excessive desires for food and drink and sexual gratification and anything else that could be seen to bring satisfaction to our physical bodies.Fleshly cravings aren’t satisfied when we give in to them. There might be a satisfaction for a few moments, but fleshly cravings don’t get satisfied, they get greedy. They grow. They lead a person to become out of control, to deceive, to lie, to steal, to cheat, to sneak around, etc. Left unchecked, they can consume a person.
The world’s view is that you are entitled to explore and pleasure yourself in any way that feels natural or is appealing to you. In an effort to feel satisfied with life, people have become gluttons for that which can never satisfy. Sexual exploration, sex outside of a biblical marriage, will never satisfy you. In fact, it will lead to addictive behavior, abusive behavior, or feelings of loneliness, regret and shame.
And how easy is it to be deluded into thinking that we can make ourselves feel better about our circumstances by drowning them in a gallon of Ben and Jerry’s? I can’t remember who I said it to recently, but I remember just in the past couple of weeks telling someone that Chick-fil-A always made me feel better. What kind of statement is that? Do I like Chick-fil-A? Yes! Do we need one in Teays Valley? Yes! But do I really look to Chick-fil-A to make me feel better? I am afraid there have been times whether it was Chick-fil-A or the extremely ooey-gooey, thick and rich, decadent chocolate chip cookies at Penn Station have been my drug of choice! Why do we think it is called “Comfort Food?” It’s because we are looking to soothe or comfort ourselves or satisfy ourselves by appeasing our flesh. Do we understand that our flesh is just surface satisfaction and not soul satisfaction which is what we really need?
But that is how the world tries to escape life’s struggles or solve life’s problems or cope with life’s disappointments; by satisfying the cravings of the flesh. We are all going to deal with physical urges and cravings. There are going to be times when we think something sounds good or looks good and we will have a decision to make. Will we go the world’s way or will we submit to God’s will? There are going to be times when due to stress, anxiety, fear or worry, our mind will go to that which we think most immediately will alleviate our stress, and we will wrestle with the lust of the flesh. Will we conform to the world’s pattern or will we choose God’s will? We will have a decision to make.
So much of today’s marketing is about self-indulgence. You deserve it. You work hard. You have earned it. It is your right. I found commercials online for all kinds of various products from cleaning products to foods we might eat that all appealed to the lust of the flesh. I toyed with the idea of showing one, but I just couldn’t bring myself to show it because it was so sexually charged, and it was a commercial about soap! When you can’t show a soap commercial in church, you know we have a problem and preoccupation with the lust of the flesh! Marketers know that “sex sells” because of the lust of the flesh. Once we are distracted by a fleshly craving, our attention is pulled in the wrong direction.
Let me offer two words for our consideration when it comes to choosing God’s will:
Self-control and Contentment. Having urges or cravings is natural for all of us. I remember craving Chocolate Coca-cola cake when I was pregnant with Hannah! The struggle was real. I mean, just how much “Coca-cola cake” should a pregnant woman avail herself to? Is having “Coca-cola cake” sinful? No! Is having four pieces in one sitting? I’m gonna have to say, “probably!”Now, we know God wants us to enjoy life. He created us to be able to experience pleasure. So, pleasure isn’t bad, but the focus on pleasure to the max, pleasure outside of God’s boundaries, pleasure to escape dealing with conflict or sin, pleasure to avoid life’s responsibilities, pleasure to avoid taking our cares and concerns to God in prayer, this is the wrong way to approach life.
God has said that we are to rely on the Holy Spirit for self-control-Galatians 5:22. When we start to wrestle with the lust of the flesh and over-indulgence or indulgence outside of the boundaries for God’s people, we need to start talking to the Holy Spirit. We need to ask for self-control. We need to ask for a godly way out. We need to ask for our minds to be redirected. We need to resist that temptation and walk away.
We live in a sexually-charged culture. I am told that “sexting,” the sending and receiving of sexually charged text messages as well as the texting of pornographic and suggestive pictures is somewhat common now for many. It is increasingly difficult for our young people to not be conformed to the world’s pattern when they are being bombarded day after day after day with images that appeal to the lust of the flesh.
Pornography is a huge stronghold in people’s lives. I read a statistic on a website called “Covenant Eyes,” it was stated that 7 out of 10 teens hide online behavior from their parents that is tied to sexually explicit and pornographic material. The website went on to say that more than half of boys and nearly a third of girls see their first pornographic images before they turn 13. Another website called “Fightthedrug.org” said that 35% of all internet downloads are pornographic in nature. In a study done in 2006 of people age 18-49, 82% looked at pornographic magazines, 84% viewed pornographic films, and 34% viewed pornography online. And the problem has only increased.
The question for satisfaction through sexual fantasy/encounters is a stronghold in the lives of many, many Christians. The Covenant Eyes website did a survey among Christians and found:
- 64% admit that they view pornography at least monthly.
- 77% of Millennial men (18-30 years old) view porn at least monthly.
- Among Millennial men, 36% say they view porn daily.
The same survey looked at women…
- 33% said they view porn at least a few times a year.
- 15% said they view it at least once a month.
- • Interestingly, despite the fact that the frequency of porn use is comparable to other men in America, Christian men are actually more likely to say they feel “addicted” to pornography
This kind of stronghold is unholy and it leads to brokenness rather than to the glory of God. We can ask for Holy Spirit help to have self-control deal with the lust of the flesh today.
We can also, rather than seeking satisfaction, look for something deeper. It is contentment. Maybe you see these words as two sides of the same coin, but for me, contentment is far deeper and richer than satisfaction. Satisfaction, in this context of the lust of the flesh, may be viewed as the result of my striving, my searching to have some longing met. Contentment, for me, is resting in what Christ has already provided for me.
When we allow Christ to be our satisfaction, our contentment, our joy, our peace, we don’t have to go chasing lustful rabbit trails to try to be “ok.” Christ makes us “ok.” God’s will is that we be self-controlled and content in Him. So, John, in his writings, warns us about the cravings of our sinful nature, the lust of the flesh. The second thing he talks about as he defines the world’s pattern is the lust of the eyes. I’m going to call that the desire for more and more stuff.
- The Pattern of this World-STUFF
Not only is the pattern of the world that we are to feed our lustful appetites, but the pattern of the world is to focus on the acquisition of material things. Having money, having nice things, is not a sin just as having physical desires and temptations isn’t a sin. But the preoccupation with the acquisition of things, the belief that things will bring happiness, and that having the newest and best in order to feel “ok” is the pattern of the world.It reminds me of the story about a very successful lawyer parked his brand-new Lexus in front of the office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he opened the door, a truck came along, and completely tore off the driver’s door! The attorney immediately grabbed his cell phone, hit speed dial for 911, and had a policeman there in 3 minutes.
Before the officer had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming hysterically. He had just picked up the Lexus the day before, and now it would never be the same, no matter how good a job the body shop does.
After the lawyer finally wound down from his rant, the cop shook his head in disgust and disbelief. “I can’t believe how materialistic you are,” he said. ” You are so focused on your possessions that you don’t notice anything else.” “How can you say such a thing?” he responded indignantly. The cop replied, “You didn’t even notice that your left arm is missing from the elbow down! It must have been torn off when the truck hit you.” “OH, NO!” screamed the lawyer in shock. “Where is my Rolex?!”
Listen, materialism can turn us into all kinds of crazy! The world believes that having more things means having more happiness and security. Those are myths. Money cannot buy happiness or security. Those are the result of a relationship with God and dependence on Him. Talk to the rich and famous who supposedly “Have it all.” How many of them, even in recent years, have passed away at young ages because of the overdose of the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. How many wealthy people have died penniless because they were never content? The high life becomes the low life and no life because the pursuit of material things doesn’t feed our soul. It doesn’t affirm our identity and worth. It doesn’t connect us to our Creator in a more profound way. Actually, it can have the opposite effect and cause us to rely more and more on self because after all, we are proving we are quite capable of taking care of ourselves.
Look at this commanding verse from Ecclesiastes 5:10 10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Isn’t that telling?
When having the newest and latest and greatest becomes our focus, material things take priority over God in our lives. Many people will stop at nothing to pursue their obsession with materialism. They will pretend to have a bigger bank account than they do. They will buy stuff, wear it once, and return it, but at least “they made an appearance” in a new outfit, right? They will live paycheck to paycheck and sometimes forgo the things they really need like water and electricity in order to purchase that new toy or gadget. They will run up debt that causes extra financial strain and often collapse. They will turn to gambling which has all kinds of issues of its own. They will steal because they have to have what they have spotted someone else has acquired.
People who live by the world’s pattern when it comes to stuff just keep accumulating stuff until they turn about 65. Then they say it is time to downsize which may just be a fancy word for saying, “It is time to try to undo what we have spent all of our lives doing.” So, they turn their home into a flea market for a few weeks having garage sale after garage sale or by toting it all to the Good Will in order to dispense with it all.
All he ever really wanted in life was more. He wanted more money, so he parlayed inherited wealth into a billion-dollar pile of assets. He wanted more fame, so he broke into the Hollywood scene and soon became a filmmaker and star. He wanted more sensual pleasures, so he paid handsome sums to indulge his every sexual urge. He wanted more thrills, so he designed, built, and piloted the fastest aircraft in the world. He wanted more power, so he secretly dealt political favors so skillfully that two US presidents became his pawns. All he ever wanted was more. He was absolutely convinced that more would bring him true satisfaction. Unfortunately, history shows otherwise. He concluded his life emaciated; colorless; sunken chest; fingernails in grotesque, inches-long corkscrews; rotting, black teeth; tumors; innumerable needle marks from his drug addiction. Howard Hughes died believing the myth of more. He died a billionaire junkie, insane by all reasonable standards. (Bill Hybels in Leadership, Vol. X, #3 (Summer, 1989), p. 38) The myth of more says that more will lead to happiness. People who buy the myth of more spend their emotional energy and time aimlessly pursuing what can never produce the happiness they seek.
Having stuff isn’t wrong. We have some stuff. We have more stuff than we need, I am sure. Every room has stuff in it. There isn’t a bare wall or floor in our home. We may not have as much stuff as you have, but we are blessed. I like Thom’s eagle collection. I like my pretty bedspreads. I like my china and dining room table. But I am not placing my self-worth in having stuff, and I am not placing hope in having more stuff for my happiness. One of the greatest joys I have is sharing my stuff with other people. That is what our stuff is for! It enhances our life, but it is also a tool to help enhance the lives of other people.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
The pattern of this world is to live to acquire stuff. The will of God is that we seek first the Kingdom of God and seek to honor and glorify Him in all we say and do, including the way we use our resources and that we rely on God to provide our happiness and peace.
- The Pattern of the World-SWAG
John calls this pattern of the world the boasting of what he has and does. I like to call it “swag” mainly because I like saying “swag,” and I am hoping that using the word “swag” makes me somewhat cool.
Now most people want to be thought well of and to have a good reputation. That is healthy and even Scriptural. The Bible has much to say about integrity and having a good name. Again, this message is about excessive and self-indulging kinds of approaches to life, not about having a healthy self-esteem or confidence. You need to believe you are valuable. You need to shoot for the stars. You need to strive to be excellent. You need to work hard. That isn’t what John is addressing here.
The emphasis here is on the person who brags about their accomplishments, who is seeking accolades and attention, fame or power, as if they are ascending to some kind of throne. John is talking about an arrogance that says, “Look at me.” “I am great.” The pattern of the world is to put self on the throne. God’s will is that we would seek to glorify Him and help others bow before His throne.
We need a John the Baptist mentality that says, “Behold the Lamb of God!” “Look at Jesus!” We need to live with sincere humility and a desire not to be served or applauded but to serve others. We need to be consciously living not for the now but for that which is eternal.
If anyone had bragging rights it was the Apostle Paul. He had quite a resume’. He was the over-achiever of over-achievers. He was the best of the best. Listen to what he had to say, however, about his successes:
Philippians 3:4-9 If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Do you see it? Paul’s track record, his accomplishments, his list of impressive achievements paled in comparison to being a servant of Jesus Christ! Paul was living for the eternal reward. He was living for the approval of the Master, not the approval of the masses!
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him . . . .
People who reject the worlds “Look at me pattern” live for the will of God and the “Look at Jesus” pattern way of life. They live not to serve themselves but Christ and others in an effort to help all people see Jesus.
Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Can you see how this kind of life involves sacrifice? A living sacrifice will reject the notion of satisfaction in order to live self-controlled and contented in Christ. A living sacrifice will reject an obsession with stuff in order to embrace the stewardship model that says that all I have belongs to Christ and can be used for His purposes and will live with a recognition that “stuff” can’t make us happy. A living sacrifice will reject a bragging kind of swag and live with a humble mentality rather than a “look at me” mentality.
Which will you choose? The way of the world or the will of God?
