And how we should react to all three
I’ve been a born-again Christian since 2001. That’s 20+ years I’ve had to pattern myself after Jesus. And yet, I find myself still making mistakes. Or if I call them what they really are, sins.
The temptation to sin is relentless.
I recently read in 1 John 2:16 that there are three main temptations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
“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.” (1 John 2:16, NIV)
I struggle with these regularly. But I’m not alone in fighting these temptations. In the Bible, we read how both Eve and Jesus were also tempted in these areas. Eve failed and is an example of what not to do. Jesus triumphed and is the ultimate example of how to handle the enemy.
The lust of the flesh
This is a craving for physical pleasure. We want to gratify our physical desires seeking to satisfy our appetites for food, comfort, sex, and entertainment. How many times have I given in to the whisper of the enemy that “I deserve this”?
In Genesis 3:6a, the enemy stirred in Eve a desire for what her body could taste and enjoy. Even though she had access to every other tree in the garden, the fruit that God had forbidden appealed to her physical appetite.
In Matthew 4:3–4, the enemy targeted Jesus’ physical needs. But instead of being drawn in, Jesus responded with Scripture.
Jesus calls us to self-control and a hunger for righteousness instead of entertaining the lust of the flesh.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6, NIV)
The lust of the eyes
This is a craving for everything we see. We want to accumulate things that appeal to the eyes — money, possessions, lifestyle, and status symbols. I find this especially challenging when I’m boating on the lake and see the homes/cottages along the shoreline.
In Genesis 3:6b, Eve desired the fruit because it looked so good. She didn’t need it for food but because it appealed to her.
In Matthew 4:8–10, the enemy tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world and wanted Him to take a shortcut to glory without the cross. But again Jesus replied with Scripture.
Jesus calls us to restraint and a pursuit of contentment instead of entertaining the lust of the eyes.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)
The pride of life
This is a pride in our achievements and possessions. We become obsessed with our status and importance, accomplishments, and reputation. How many times do I believe the enemy when he says, “You deserve the credit.”
In Genesis 3:6, the enemy tempted Eve with pride. By eating the fruit, she could gain wisdom and independence from God.
In Matthew 4:5–7, the enemy tempted Jesus to make a grand display of power, to prove Himself through spectacle. But Jesus once again replied with Scripture.
Jesus calls us to have a heart of humility and a posture of gratitude instead of entertaining the pride of life.
Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31, NIV)
In this world, we can be assured that the enemy will tempt us. However, Jesus is our example on how to respond. He overcame all temptations by the power of Scripture.
When we face these same temptations today, we can respond like Jesus — with humility, the Word, and dependence on God’s Spirit.