"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:11-12.
Man is fallen. That is a simple fact to anyone that observes modern society. Humans were once perfect but since the fall of man, we have become so wretched, so much different than how God originally created us. And the worst part of it is humanity has become used to this sin. But as Christians we are called to be different and abstain from the things of this world. America is consumed in an ideology of materialism, the ideology that more is better. In 2013, America spent over $650 billion in the winter holiday season. This statistic is of an unsaved majority, but although these products in themselves are not bad, the lust of these things are. And the reason behind why they buy these things, which is unknown to most except that they in a never ending struggle to fill a void in their lives. .
As Christians we once knew about that void in our lives, but we now know the answer to the age old question of "Why aren't I happy." Since you have Christ in your live, you no longer have any need for the things that you once longed for so badly. You are called to no longer lust after the things that once consumed your life, but to refrain from living materialistic lives. Not because Jesus doesn't want you to enjoy life, but because if you are consumed with the things of the world, what does that say about your walk with Christ? Are you satisfied in your life with Christ if you are looking forward to the next best video game, or you "can't"" wait for the upcoming sale at your favorite store because you "need"" new clothes when you just went shopping the week before? We want to have a good testimony to the world, and how are they going to be able to tell you are any different if you living the same consumer driven life.
