Forbidden Fruit

There are so many things in the world that compete for our attention. Advertisements scream for us to look and lust for what they offer. They provoke us to spend our hard earned money to consume things that are fleeting and temporary. Through psychological tactics, they tell us that we “need” this thing or we “have to have” it. The world system is constantly pulling our focus toward consumerism and attachment to earthly possessions. The Bible says in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

It is the same old trick that satan used in the Garden of Eden. He tempts us to think that the forbidden fruit is good. He deceives us into thinking that we have to have this thing, which is actually going to make us miserable or possibly even destroy us. He creates an illusion of this nice shiny object and we are tempted to lust after it. Thank God for filling us with His Holy Spirit of wisdom and discernment. We don’t have to be deceived into eating the forbidden fruit. We can live in the truth of God’s Kingdom and the promises in the covenant of Christ. We have all that we need in Christ. The Lord has and will make provision for all of our needs, financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally/socially. The lie of the enemy is that we are missing out on something in this world or that we don’t have enough. The truth is that God has promised to care for us and give us what we need. He will satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts if we just surrender to His ways. Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬-‭33‬).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit of Truth. I no longer see things through the lust of the eyes but I now see through the eyes of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit fills and satisfies me.