Children’s Lesson 17

THE THREE CATAGORIES OF SIN – PART ONE –  LUST OF THE FLESH

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

In all the lessons we go through every week at one part or another we will talk about sin. What is sin? The Greek word for sin means: to err; miss the mark. It’s like when we shoot at a target, we miss what we were aiming at. We miss the bullseye! 

As a Christian our aim is to always obey God but sometimes, we mess up and do the wrong thing. That means we missed the mark, or we did not obey God.  We sinned.

John tells us, in verse 16 above, that ALL sin falls into three categories: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.”  

Over the next three lessons we will study each category and how we can begin to understand what is happening when we are tempted to sin. This will help us to be better at hitting the target of obedience to God.

The first thing John mentions is the LUST OF FLESH.

What is Lust? It is a craving for something. We really want something so much that we feel we just have to have it. 

One of the most respected Christian leaders, Billy Graham, said this: “Our interests are in ourselves. We are preoccupied with material things. Our supreme gods are computers and cell phones. Most of us are more interested in getting things than getting to heaven. We are more dedicated to material security (money) than to inward purity. We give much more thought to what we wear, what we eat, what we drink, and what we can do than what we are….”  

What does the Bible mean when it refers to flesh? It is the rebellious and stubborn part of our inner self. The flesh is that part of us that does not want to be told what to do. The flesh is stubborn, refuses correction, and does not want to have much to do with God ruling it. The flesh is where Satan wants to be king. He wants to rule this part of our sinful nature.

The Apostle John is saying that the Lust of the Flesh is when we want (lust) to do something that would please our self, (our flesh) rather than please God. 

We all can be tempted with the lust of the flesh. 

Do you care more about doing things your way or God’s? 

Do you hang around the wrong friends instead of seeking out Godly friends?

Do you dress in ways that are popular, but God would not be pleased?

Do you let anger control your action when you get mad or upset?

We all know that stealing is wrong, do you steal? 

Do you let hate for someone control you? 

Are disobedient to your parents or those placed in charge of you?

God said clearly, “Don’t love the world. If you do, my love is not in you.”    Wow! 

When and where do we cross the line from loving God to loving the world? It’s when we care more about being on – TEAM ME – than – GOD’S TEAM.

James 1:14-15 – Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

THAT does not sound good!   

What has controlled you this week? 

Whose team have you been on this week, TEAM ME – or – GOD’S TEAM? 

Now is the time to make things right. 

Go to Romans Road to Salvation and/or Prayer of Rededication