When Loving the Wrong Things Destroys What Matters Most
Here's the uncomfortable truth: you can't love everything. 1 John 2:15-17 draws a line in the sand—love God or love the world. There's no middle ground.
So what does that mean for you?
Start with an honest inventory. Tonight, before bed, ask yourself: What did I think about most today? Where did my mind wander during the quiet moments? Your thought life reveals your love life. If your mental default is scrolling, shopping, or sexual fantasy, you've found your functional god. Name it. Confess it. Don't spiritualize it or make excuses.
Get brutal about your phone. If pornography has hooks in you, install accountability software before the sun sets today. Not tomorrow. Today. Text a trusted friend and ask them to be your accountability partner. If you're battling this alone, you're losing. The progressive nature of this addiction means it only gets worse, never better, without intervention and support.
Audit your spending. Pull up your bank statement from last month. Where did your money go? The lust of the eyes isn't just about wanting things—it's about believing things will complete you. If you're constantly upgrading, constantly dissatisfied, constantly needing the next purchase to feel successful, you're trying to fill a God-shaped hole with stuff that will never fit. This week, practice gratitude. Write down ten things you already own that you're thankful for. Thank God for them specifically.
Check your pride at the door. Are you the most important person in your own story? Do you struggle to celebrate others' successes? Does criticism sting because it threatens your carefully constructed image? Humble yourself. Literally. Find someone this week you can serve anonymously. Take out their trash. Pay for their meal without them knowing. Do something kind that you'll get zero credit for. Pride shrinks when we practice hiddenness.
Anchor to what lasts. The person who does God's will lives forever. So what's God's will for you right now? Love Him. Love others. Make disciples. Pursue holiness. Serve sacrificially. These aren't vague spiritual concepts—they're daily decisions. Cancel the Netflix binge and have a real conversation with your spouse. Skip the doom-scrolling and pray. Trade the extra overtime for volunteering at church. Invest in eternal things.
Remember the sinking ship. Satan's world system is going down. You're choosing between clinging to gold that will drown you or swimming toward the only Rescuer who can save you. Every day you wake up, you're making that choice again. The world promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. Christ promises life and delivers abundantly.
If you live for eternity, you gain this life too. But if you live only for now, you lose everything. The world is passing away. But you? You can remain forever.
Stop trying to serve two masters. Pick one. Then live like you mean it.
So what does that mean for you?
Start with an honest inventory. Tonight, before bed, ask yourself: What did I think about most today? Where did my mind wander during the quiet moments? Your thought life reveals your love life. If your mental default is scrolling, shopping, or sexual fantasy, you've found your functional god. Name it. Confess it. Don't spiritualize it or make excuses.
Get brutal about your phone. If pornography has hooks in you, install accountability software before the sun sets today. Not tomorrow. Today. Text a trusted friend and ask them to be your accountability partner. If you're battling this alone, you're losing. The progressive nature of this addiction means it only gets worse, never better, without intervention and support.
Audit your spending. Pull up your bank statement from last month. Where did your money go? The lust of the eyes isn't just about wanting things—it's about believing things will complete you. If you're constantly upgrading, constantly dissatisfied, constantly needing the next purchase to feel successful, you're trying to fill a God-shaped hole with stuff that will never fit. This week, practice gratitude. Write down ten things you already own that you're thankful for. Thank God for them specifically.
Check your pride at the door. Are you the most important person in your own story? Do you struggle to celebrate others' successes? Does criticism sting because it threatens your carefully constructed image? Humble yourself. Literally. Find someone this week you can serve anonymously. Take out their trash. Pay for their meal without them knowing. Do something kind that you'll get zero credit for. Pride shrinks when we practice hiddenness.
Anchor to what lasts. The person who does God's will lives forever. So what's God's will for you right now? Love Him. Love others. Make disciples. Pursue holiness. Serve sacrificially. These aren't vague spiritual concepts—they're daily decisions. Cancel the Netflix binge and have a real conversation with your spouse. Skip the doom-scrolling and pray. Trade the extra overtime for volunteering at church. Invest in eternal things.
Remember the sinking ship. Satan's world system is going down. You're choosing between clinging to gold that will drown you or swimming toward the only Rescuer who can save you. Every day you wake up, you're making that choice again. The world promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. Christ promises life and delivers abundantly.
If you live for eternity, you gain this life too. But if you live only for now, you lose everything. The world is passing away. But you? You can remain forever.
Stop trying to serve two masters. Pick one. Then live like you mean it.
This week’s blog draws from the message shared by Interim Pastor Steve Dighton on Sunday, October 12. You can watch the full message here.
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