1 John 2:16-17: 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 of the world. And the world passes away, and its lust too; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
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The world and everything that characterizes it is under the influence of Satan. The Bible lets us know that he is the father of lies. He rules the world with his agents. Their main objective is to prevent man from worshiping his true creator, to divert him from God's plan of salvation, to sow confusion among the people of God. They deploy strategies like: pride of life, lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh. Let's see together what it consists of and what consequences it could have.
Pride of life
Proverbs 18.12: Before ruin the heart of man is lifted up; but humility precedes glory.
Unlike humility, pride is a very high opinion that one has of one's personal worth at the expense of the consideration due to others. Many people suffer from it; King Nebuchadnezzar is an example ( read Daniel 4.27-28). Having a very high opinion of ourselves prevents us from having consideration for others. Pride could lead us to believe that we can be self-sufficient. It could push us to consider only our own ideas. Such behavior hurts others, excites feelings of hatred, creates frustration and even violence. A proud Christian cannot reach a certain spiritual level. The Bible says that God resists the proud (1 Peter 5:5b). And if God resists us, we risk missing out on many of the blessings that were meant for us.
Lust of the eyes
2 Samuel 11.2: One evening David rose from his bed; and, as he was walking on the roof of the royal house, he saw from there a woman who was bathing, and who had a very beautiful face.
To covet is to have an extreme desire to possess something. Except that in this case, David coveted another man's wife. His case clearly shows that the lust of the eyes can drive us to murderous madness ( read 2 Samuel 11). You can't help but stare because the eyes are made for that. But that through our eyes, we do not covet what is not intended for us. This can push us to rape, theft and in the extreme case to murder. Certainly our eyes are the lamps of our body. They enlighten us. But we must differentiate between what belongs to us and what does not belong to us, so as not to fall into the trap of eye lust and thus sin against God. We must take urgent and salutary measures with the help of the Holy Spirit against the lust of the eyes, as the Bible advises us with this verse:
Matthew 5.29: If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and that your whole body should not be thrown into hell.
Lust of the flesh
James 1.14-15: But everyone is tempted when he is attracted and enticed by his own lust. Then lust, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, being consummated, produces death.
Our flesh has its own desires often guided by its five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste). So, as children of God, we must know that these things are used by the enemy as bait to lead us away from the will of God. And the Bible says, "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh." If we allow ourselves to be ruled by the lust of our flesh, we will end up in adultery, immorality, all kinds of bad addictions. Wanting every time to satisfy the many desires of our flesh can sadden the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Moreover, the Bible tells us that the flesh has desires contrary to those of the Spirit. She asks us not to satisfy her desires because the lust of the flesh when she has conceived, gives birth to sin which leads to death.If we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we can do this by following the voice of God.
Philippians 4.8: Moreover, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever merits approval, whatever is virtuous and worthy of praise, be the object of your thoughts.
The Christian must always remember that he is in the world but not of the world. He must not let himself be guided by the lust of his flesh, nor of his eyes. He should not be proud. He must live by the Spirit which helps him to live a life of holiness, pleasing to God and which leaves no chance for Satan to approach him.