The Scriptures continually mention how people should pay attention to how they walk. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah told the children of Israel what God requires of man. He said, “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God?” (Micah 6.8). The psalmist said, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!” (Psalm 119.1). In the New Testament, the apostle John tells us “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie…But if walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (I John 1.7).
The word “walk” is used in the sense of how we choose to live. How we choose to live our lives determines whether we are pleasing or displeasing to God. God has given us His Holy Word to teach us how to walk
righteously before Him. I have the choice as to whether I want to live the way God requires, or whether to live to please myself in the ways of the world. My life choices will determine my eternal destination come judgment day (2 Corinthians 5.10; Revelation 20.11, 12). At judgment, we will either hear Jesus say, “Come, you blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” or “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25.34, 41).
There are many things in the world that I should not pursue in life. John describes them as “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (I John 2.16). “Desires of the flesh” are cravings that arise from our physical nature— things that may make us feel good but are sinful and outside of God’s design of righteous living. Examples are sexual immorality, gluttony, substance abuse, laziness, uncontrolled anger, etc. These desires often promise satisfaction but leave us spiritually empty. “Desires of the eyes” are temptations that come through what we see— coveting, envy, or being captivated by appearances. They include materialism—looking for expensive clothing, cars, or homes just because they look appealing. Pornography is included as well as jealousy and greed. These desires can distort our values and pull us away from God. “The pride of life” is the arrogance that comes from status, achievements, or self-sufficiency—living as if we don’t need God. This is often displayed as boasting in our accomplishments, seeking and craving praise or recognition from others, trusting in wealth, etc. This pride blinds us to our dependence on God and inflates our ego. Satan will us any or all of these to try to tempt us to sin.
You have a choice—will you walk after God, or will you live for yourself? You would think that the answer is obvious but saying and doing are two different things. Will you make the choice to live for Jesus today?
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