If there is something we will face every single day, it is the temptation for things of the world. We are constantly advertised for things we want and supposedly need. Sometimes we’re not aware that we’re being advertised to at all. While owning and buying nice things is not bad in itself, it can impede our spiritual life and relationship with God when we become consumed with them. So how can we overcome worldly desires so that we’re not a slave to the things of this world?
What Are Worldly Desires?
Growing up in a family with parents that fought over money all the time, I dreamed of a day that we would have enough. I saw friends in school with the nicest bags, clothes, and shoes. While I couldn’t say I was jealous, I was definitely envious. I wished that my parents could have bought me new things instead of second-hand or pass-me-downs from other adults. One particular moment I remember as a teenager was seeing a pair of jeans on a clothing catalog. I asked my mom if she could buy them for my birthday. She said no because $30 was too expensive.
I didn’t realize it consciously at the time but I started to covet things. When I finally was able to work and earn my own money, I developed a form of shopping addiction. While I tried to remain reasonable with the amount that I spent, my mind would always be on what I could buy next. I would imagine looking and feeling amazing with the new stuff. When online shopping became mainstream, I would browse websites for hours and hours and finally opening the packages would give me such a dopamine rush. No matter how cheap the stuff was, I eventually racked up thousands in credit card debt.
Finally, after almost a decade of being this way, God worked in this area of my life and set me free. Worldly desires may look slightly different for you. How you came to be consumed by it may be a different story than mine. But why do we need to address this? Because where our treasures are, that is where our heart is. If anything becomes big enough in our life that consumes our thoughts and finances, we need to pay attention. So I wanted to share some of the practices on how to overcome worldly desires.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
To Overcome Worldly Desires, Pray For A Mindset Renewal
Many of us may not be fully aware that worldly things consume us. After all, there are people out there that are much worse. However, as Christ-followers, we need to be mindful of our thoughts and where our finances go. When we spend so much of our time, desires, and finances on things, it can become an idol. It is saying that those things are at the forefront of what is important to us. Following Jesus is not about restriction and not wanting anything at all. But it is rather a heart that is filled with His heart. We cannot make room for the fullness of Jesus’s heart when it is filled with other things.
To overcome worldly desires, we must genuinely want to rid ourselves of it. The good news is our God is so good that we can run to him in full sincere prayer and He hears us. He will set in motion what needs to happen in order to set you free. We need to pray that He will renew our minds so that we can look to Him as our ultimate source of fulfillment.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2 (NIV)
To Overcome Worldly Desires, Choose What You Want Most Over What You Want Now
The strange thing about worldly things is as soon as you obtain them, the joy of owning them is so temporary. As soon as I receive an item, and then use it or wear it, I would want something new. My heart was always longing for things that I didn’t have before I appreciated what I have. One of my favorite Pastors who is a great speaker and leader, Craig Groeschel, often preaches in his sermons “choose what you want most over what you want now”. It is a motto that I often think about when I make decisions.
Our human tendencies want what we want now. But we need to be able to rewire and renew our minds so that we can look at what we want most. For me, other than having God and my family being the most important in my life, I want financial responsibility more than I want the stuff now. Between saving, investing, and giving or buying something that I want now, I want the former most. I want to choose to be a good steward of God’s financial blessings in my life over things that I will get tired of by the time I use them.
To put faith into practice, I prayed and chose to return the most expensive piece of clothing that I bought. It was more than about being responsible. It was to prove to myself that worldly desires do not own me and that I’m not a slave to the things of this world. What is it for you? What is God calling your attention to that you have placed too important than it really is? God gave us the freedom to choose. And we often choose inferior replacements rather than the best that God offers.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. - Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
To Overcome Worldly Desires, Look To The One Who Is Greater
As a kid, when someone says no to something, it only makes me want it more. This is the case of our sinful human nature. I would try to address my shopping addiction in the past by telling myself that I need to stop. I need to not browse online for a month or restrict myself in some way. But after a certain time has passed, the desires for those things will come back with an insatiable vengeance. When we empty ourselves of certain worldly desires, other worldly things try to take their place.
That is why we need to fill ourselves with One who is greater than anything that this world offers. There is no room for other things when we look to Him who fills our cup with overflowing abundance. So how do we desire God more? We need to seek Him sincerely with all our hearts and He promises that we will find Him.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
But we must truly want to find Him. We need to nurture our relationship with Him as we do with anything that we care about. And He is good that He gives back way better than what we gave up for Him.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing my attention to this area of my life. I want to eliminate the hidden idols I have let consume me over the years. I know that you love me too much to live a life that is filled with empty things. Fill me up with your Spirit and renew my wandering mind to keep focused on your will for me. I choose to let go of the past as I walk towards what you have in store for me. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.