We often sing the song: "This World Is Not My Home." This song deals with the temporary nature of our existence in this world. But for we who are God's children, it has a much deeper meaning-don't get too comfortable in this world. Let's study some of the ways in which we can fall prey to this grave danger.
Confusing the temporal with the eternal. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." {2 Corinthians 4:16-18} Satan can confuse us. In this world, nothing (relationships, material wealth, comforts, pleasures) is of lasting or enduring quality. In order for the devil to make good on his promise that sin will be fun, someone must pay the consequences. This world, and all things created for man's benefit, is passing away {2 Peter 3:9-11}.
Eternal things are just the opposite. The God of heaven, who cannot lie to us, {Hebrews 6:18} promised that they will endure forever. Unfortunately, our finite minds only think about the "here and now." Eternal things are difficult for us to grasp when we live in a temporal world. Abraham taught a powerful lesson about keeping one's focus on the eternal, rather than the temporal {Hebrews 11:8-16}.
Failing to understand what is truly valuable. "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" {Matthew 16:24-26} We've heard it said that many times, we don't fully appreciate what we have until we lose it. Believe me dear reader, if you miss heaven, you have missed everything! If you exchange all of this world's riches, the pleasures you can enjoy, the fame and power that you attain, for your place in heaven, you will have made a poor bargain. If you don't believe me, take the time to read the book of Ecclesiastes, written by the wise man Solomon. This wise king had the ability, opportunity, position, and wisdom to have everything this world could offer an individual. When he looked at all his wonderful earthly accomplishments (according to the world's standards), Solomon concluded that all is vanity and vexation of spirit-striving after wind. Learn the lesson Solomon learned the hard way.
Our adversary the devil is a master of deception. Look very closely at the record of God and Satan. God never lies, and he fulfills every promise-good or bad-He makes. Satan, on the other hand, has yet to fulfill even one promise.
We are pilgrims on a journey to a far different destination than are worldly minded travelers. Dear reader, where is your heart-in heaven or on this earth?