1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
It is important that we distinguish between our needs and our wants, which are vastly different. The things that we want can be a bottomless pit, risking our destruction. In fact, the things we want might not even be beneficial for us. The world wants us to conform to its standard of success, to think and behave as it does, and to share its values. However, if we do, the things we want in our lives will always leave us unfulfilled. The flesh plays a big part in making us dissatisfied and pursue our wants even when our needs are met. Consequently, we want God to satisfy our wants, not our needs.
Romans 12:1-2 caution us against being conformed to this world without being renewed in our minds with the Word of God. The world often judges success and shapes people’s identities based on outward, visible achievements, especially things that can be quantified, compared, or displayed. Examples include money and wealth, status and titles, power and influence, or image and appearance. Some of us are beating ourselves up because we are not measuring up to the world’s definition of success. However, if you pause for a second and ask yourself whether the things listed above are what you truly want for yourself and your children, you might find that they are not.
Many people aim to maintain or desire a particular lifestyle, even though it might be costly and beyond their financial means, leading them to accumulate credit card debts. Some want the latest gadgets, such as a new mobile phone, headphones, or the newest electric vehicle. Meanwhile, many young individuals aspire to travel the world by a certain age, and some believe they must stay at specific hotels, dine at certain restaurants, drink the most expensive beverages, and fly business class. However, these are wants, not needs, and they can cause stress if unmet.
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
God, who loves us unconditionally, will provide for all our needs. We have seen this throughout the Old Testament. This instruction is meant to give us peace of mind to function well each day. We will not be worried or anxious about our needs if we seek the Kingdom of God first, and God will provide and come through for us when we are aligned with His will for our lives.
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to resist conforming to worldly expectations in your daily life?
Sermon Series：Therapeutic Bird Watching
在欲望的世界中经历神的供应
约翰一书 2:15-17 不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了。 因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲、眼目的情欲并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。 这世界和其上的情欲都要过去，唯独遵行神旨意的，是永远常存。
我们必须清楚分辨需要与想要之间的差别，因为这两者是完全不同的。我们所“想要”的东西往往像一个无底洞，甚至可能带来毁灭。事实上，我们渴望的事物未必对我们真正有益。这个世界不断要求我们去符合它的成功标准，要我们像它那样思考与行事，并认同它的价值观。然而，如果我们这样做，我们所追求的“想要”终究无法带来满足。
肉体在其中扮演了很大的角色，使我们即使在需要已经被满足时，仍感到不满足，并继续追逐更多的欲望。于是，我们常常希望神来满足我们的“想要”，而不是我们的“需要”。
罗马书 12:1-2 所以弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当做活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的，你们如此侍奉乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。
有些人因自己达不到世界所谓的成功标准而不断责备自己。然而，如果你停下来想一想：这些真的是你希望自己和孩子追求的人生目标吗？你可能会发现，其实并不是。
许多人努力维持某种生活方式，尽管代价高昂，甚至超出自己的经济能力，最终累积信用卡债务。有些人渴望最新的科技产品，例如新手机、耳机，或最新款电动车。同时，许多年轻人希望在某个年龄之前环游世界，有些人认为自己必须住特定的酒店、去某些餐厅、喝最昂贵的饮品、搭乘商务舱。
然而，这些都是“想要”，并不是“需要”。若无法实现，反而会带来压力与焦虑。
马太福音 6:33 你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。
神爱我们，是无条件的，祂必供应我们一切所需。这一点在旧约中处处可见。主这样的教导，是为了赐给我们平安，使我们每天都能稳妥地生活。当我们先求神的国，便不必为生活所需忧虑；当我们与神的旨意对齐，神必为我们预备，并在适当的时候成就祂的供应。
反思问题：在日常生活中，你可以采取哪些实际行动，来抵挡世界的期待与价值观，不让自己被世俗标准所塑造？
讲章系列：疗愈的观鸟时刻