Page 75 - First Steps 2023

Lust of the flesh
Sensuality, addiction, and an inability to control one appetite or
another all describe this life issue. If you’ve found yourself unable—or un-
willing—to step away from pornography, your drug of choice, or the buffet

table, you’re experiencing the lust of the flesh.
Another way this life issue plays out is through lustful thoughts.
The soundtrack for this life issue might play as: “I know I shouldn’t,
but I just can’t help myself.”

Lust of the eyes
Materialism, anxiety, jealousy, and greed all are markers of this life

issue. Those who are affected often find themselves in financial trouble or
unable to keep their commitments.
If you hear yourself saying, “I want it so I deserve it” when seeing
something new and shiny, or resenting others for having what you don’t,
this life issue may have its claws in you.

Pride of life
A desire for recognition and fame, anger and disappointment that
life isn’t giving you what you think you deserve, and an urge to control the

situations and people around you—all reflect this life issue.
If you find yourself feeling perpetually undervalued and underappre-
ciated—no matter what people say or do—you may be especially vulner-
able to this life issue.
A couple of things to keep in mind as you consider which of these life
issues needs to be addressed first:

• God, in his mercy, doesn’t reveal all of your life issues at once
They’ll come into focus more clearly the more you grow in Christ.
But since your primary life issue will cause you to stumble again and
again, it’s important to identify how it plays out in your life. You’ve got to
start somewhere; start with the life issue that feels most familiar.

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