https://odb.org/MY/2023/01/25/fighting-flashy-things
One of the things we face as believers is the temptation of the attractions of the world. The fancy and flashy things. They distract and could potentially draw us away from God. Nothing wrong with the things themselves as most things are neutral. But the glam and the flash, if we are into them too much, may just make us forget who we are in God, and thus, there lies the danger.
Just to illustrate and as an example and is not meant to implicate anyone. If we are so much into the glam and flash, we will always be looking at acquiring the latest Louis Vutton handbags, the latest Versace clothes, or the latest Rolex watches. The brands could be a few notches down, and they could be fashion statements and yet investments, in the sense that they have resale value. But if we are obsessed with such things, our attention will be very much focused on earning money to buy those stuff, and in the process, we could potentially be comprising our principles to earn that extra buck because of our obsession. Soon, we will be caught up in the razzle and dazzle of the high fashion world, and Jesus will be far from our hearts and minds.
The world has its attractions, but at the spiritual level, please be aware that there is such a thing as the spirit of the world. Its job is to seek and destroy. Whether to drown us in its bottomless pit or just draw us to the other side, where its end is destruction. It is like a magical journey of beautiful flowers and berries, green fields, and fascinating scenery, and yet at the back of all that, just dry and desolate lands and dead trees. The world is very much a beautifully crafted facade; beneath that beautiful picture lies just emptiness and loneliness. It’s an endless journey of deception, of chasing after the next “in” thing, the latest in design, colours, and textures. Positioned to fulfil our deepest needs and desires, and yet it does not. A lot of the glam is mere marketing ploys to make us spend and buy more. Material things are in the end temporal. We know that.
Only God can fulfil our deepest needs and longings. Only Jesus can and will lead us to eternal life. All other roads, and that includes the world, will only lead us to destruction. As believers, we should live simpler and more moderate lives. We may still indulge in flashy things, but just remember not to overdo or get overwhelmed by such things. Remember who we are in the Lord. Buy and use good quality stuff, some of which are investments, but never get obsessed by them. Live instead in the centre of the will of God and His plans and promises for our lives!
Ronnie's Thoughts 