“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
 I hate the works of those who fall away;
 It shall not cling to me.”  Psalm 101:3

This is a Psalm of David and the Psalmist’s profession of uprightness.  In the world today it is very difficult to set nothing wicked before our eyes because of the evil and corruption that abounds all around.  The Apostle Paul, in chapter three of his second letter to Timothy, tells of the coming apostasy and tells of perilous times.  He aptly describes the condition of today.  I would like to focus on a portion 2 Timothy 3:4,
“…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

The Apostle Peter refers to the punishment of the unjust and he says,
“This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.  Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings.”  2 Peter 2:10

What does Scripture say are the result of a worldly pleasure seeking life?
There is Poverty:
“He who loves pleasure will become poor;
 Whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.”  Proverbs 21:17 

There is False Security:
Here Isaiah is speaking of the destruction of Babylon--(and can not destruction come suddenly today?)
“Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures,
 Who dwell securely,
 Who say in your heart,
‘I am, and there is no one besides me…’”  Isaiah 47:8 
“…trouble shall fall upon you;
 You will not be able to put it off.
 And desolation will come upon you suddenly,
 Which you shall not know.”  Isaiah 47:11  (Read the passage Vs. 8-11)

There is Spiritual Barrenness:
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”   
Luke 18:14

There is Presumption:
“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul you have many goods laid for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’  But God said to him ‘You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you…’”  Luke 12:19-20

There is Spiritual Death:
Paul speaking of widows,
“But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.”  
1 Timothy 5:6

We are reminded in Titus 3:3,
“For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved, to various lusts and pleasures spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”  

Then!
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”  Titus 3:4-5

Now!
Jesus says to His disciples (of whom we are),
“…if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”  Matthew 16:24

Deny self!
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”  Romans 13:14
“…Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

Thank you Lord for working mightily in each one of Your own to bring about all that pleases Your heart.  Great and mighty are You and we rest in Your love!  Amen