Shelter in Place with Joni: A 7-Day Devotional Reading Plan, Part 2Sample

The World, The Flesh, and the Devil

How would you sum up sinful humanity’s craving for physical pleasure? In one word: lust. And what about the “craving for everything we see” (1 John 2:16)? That’s envy. Boasting in our achievements and possessions is a manifestation of pride. I’ve heard it said that virtually every kind of sin can be traced to these three villains—lust, envy, and pride.

So how is the battle against those opponents going for you today? Maybe you are toying with daydreams and imagining yourself in the arms of someone forbidden. Perhaps envy is enticing you to spend beyond your means in order to keep pace with the neighbors. And pride may be tempting you to run mental movies of past successes.

Is all this struggling worth the effort? Wouldn’t you rather sit ringside and watch someone else go his fair share of rounds against lust, envy, and pride? Well, if you are wrestling against any or all of these villains today, you are in a better state than many who have no awareness about the struggle at all. You are in a better condition than those who are stagnant in apathy.

As J. C. Ryle once pointed out, the very fact that we have been targeted by the devil should fill us with hope. For it means that we are in a state of enmity with the world, the flesh, and the devil—and, therefore, in a state of peace and friendship with God.

Prayer

Lord of the Battle, please fit me for conflict today, for I constantly face temptation. Rather than lust, I want to desire you. Instead of envy, may I be jealous for fellowship with you. Instead of pride, I would rather boast in you. Guard me and my loved ones from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

This devotional reading plan is from the Beyond Suffering Bible published by Tyndale House Publishers in partnership with Joni and Friends. Discover More.