WRITTEN BY DR. JIM GRASSI
Erosion happens when soil and rock wear away, moved by forces like water, wind, ice, or gravity. The Grand Canyon was primarily sculpted by water. Ice carved out the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. Erosion can have a huge environmental impact. The Palouse region in the Northwest has grown more vulnerable to wind erosion through farming practices, making one of our country’s most productive areas one of the most rapidly eroding. Our faith can also erode if we are not vigilant and wise.
The cares of life and pressures of the world threaten to erode our commitment to godliness. The things of the world are contrary to the things of God and can threaten the resolve in our hearts toward obedience. The Apostle John wrote about three forces of temptation, traps that can derail us:
“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” (1 John 2:15-16).
While the lust of the flesh certainly includes sexual immorality, John was speaking of anything that caters to physical appetites, including gluttony, drunkenness, laziness, and self-indulgence. Jesus said that we commit adultery with even our lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:28). That includes pornography and inappropriate relationships – even virtual. Drunkenness and gluttony don’t just involve quantities; they also involve how important food and drink are to us. It’s the same with pursuing pleasures and free time to play or relax. The lust of the eyes and pride of life are also traps that threaten our resolve to live godly lives, feeding off our human appetites for pleasure, comfort, luxury, material goods, praise, and recognition.
When these areas take priority, they become traps, shifting our time and resources away from God, and as we grow lazy in areas involving self-discipline, we squander our energies, appeasing our hollow cravings. The issue is not with what we eat or how much or even how much we work or relax and have fun, but with our attitude toward our food, drink, time, and pursuits. Desire in itself if not sinful; it is what and how much that gets us into trouble. We are to seek God more than anything else (Matthew 6:33). We fight these erosive forces by taking practical steps to strengthen our resolve in each area. We avoid evil, read God’s Word, delight in what pleases God, and pursue Him. Paul wrote:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
In all these areas of struggle an important key is to be in an accountability group or mentoring partnership.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:4
Personal Application: Be encouraged; God is greater than any of the world’s erosive forces (1 John 4:4). Lean into Him through prayer and His Word and trust the Lord to plant His desires in your heart. What traps threaten to erode your faith? What steps do you need to take to fight them?
- Taken in part from Finishing Well, Finishing Strong by Jim Grassi
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5