Have you ever noticed that when you go into a grocery store, most of the items displayed around the cash register and on tables in the front are candy, pastries, donuts, etc.? Now, there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with eating these things as long as they are not our main item of consumption. However, if we only eat candy and sugar filled things – we will make ourselves sick, because they don’t provide the necessary nutrients that our body needs – in fact, they often provide a bunch of stuff our body DOESN’T need! So, how come you don’t see a nice display of vitamins at the front of the store? Because the story owners know what people want! And just like in the world around us – people are eager to provide what people want more than what people need!
That’s the same way with this world. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of the pleasures of this life – some of them at least. However, the problem comes when we focus all of our attention on this world, its entertainments, its pleasure, and even just life in general. Too much consumption of this world and its pleasures will make us sick spiritually. And just as we are unable to function properly when we are sick physically – we are also unable to function properly when we are sick spiritually!
In this life as a Christian, Satan and the world around us will do everything they can to make the world look exciting and enticing to us, and he knows exactly what we like and what will distract us. Once we trust in Christ as our Savior, Satan has no power over us to control us, but he can and will make the things that will slow us down and even stop us from being an effective Christian look good to us! That is why the writer of Hebrews warns us in Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
It takes effort to keep in shape physically. And – it takes effort to keep in shape spiritually as well! But the results are well worth it. So keep your priorities focused on Christ, and ignore all of the stuff at the front of the store! There may be nothing wrong with doing some things in this life – but the question is “Do they draw us closer to Jesus Christ?”