Quiet Time: Looks Good, Tastes Bad

The world is deceiving. You think it will satisfy you, but it will leave you empty and a bad taste in your mouth.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:16-17

The world gives you a craving that will fade away. God can satisfy you forever.

What cravings do you need to look to God to satisfy?

“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Mark 4:24-25

The world teaches what is best is to live for yourself, but that actually leaves you empty.

How have you been living to for yourself instead of being generous?

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

Mark 8:36

Your soul is the most important thing you have. Following the world will eventually lead to losing your soul.

Have you done anything in your life that made you feel like you are going against who you really are?

The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God.

2 Cornithans 4:4

Satan is in control of the world and blinds people. Your faith is the only thing that can help you see the truth.

What areas have you been blinded by the world?

“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.”

John 16:33

Because Jesus has defeated the world, you can overcome the world.

How do you need God’s help to overcome the world?

Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

2 Timothy 4:10

Loving the world makes you like the world, disloyal.

Have you been disloyal to your friends?

Since you died with Christ and were made free from the ruling spirits of the world, why do you act as if you still belong to this world by following rules like these:  “Don’t handle this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t even touch that thing”? These rules refer to earthly things that are gone as soon as they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. They seem to be wise, but they are only part of a human religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies, but they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self.

Colossians 2:20-23

The world makes God look like a bunch of rules instead of a relationship.

What rules have you made in your relationship with God?

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God but from the world. It is not spiritual; it is from the devil. Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living.

James 3:13-18

The world makes you jealous, selfish, lie, and confused.

What kind of wisdom do you relate to most?

Challenge:

Pray today for God to help you see truth in the world and to want what God wants over what the world wants.