Earthly Things. Philippians 3:19. “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” People who do not have the mind of Christ can become so confused that they take pride in things they should be ashamed of. When minds focus on worldly things, they may concentrate on trivial matters instead of worship, even during church services. Their thoughts can drift to what is happening at work or in the world while listening to God's Word, and instead of praying, they plan their next opportunity for worldly pleasure. Instead of feeling ashamed or embarrassed by their sinful actions, they often boast about them.
A deep self-centeredness can claim the “earthly mind,” causing the pursuit of fleshly appetites and desires to take priority in all they do. The great tragedy begins in the mind and develops an attitude toward life that is reflected in actions, ultimately leading to destruction. People who live for the temporary pleasures of sin are essentially dead while they still breathe. “The pleasures of sin” are only for a very short season, and then they face eternity.
No wonder those who see beyond mere human experiences that please the body and soul weep over those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Such people are dead to God, separated from Him in their lives, and will be separated from Him forever. Their souls are consumed with fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. One wrote very insightful words, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Why can’t they understand? What is it about the earth that appeals so much to some people that they can’t see what truly has worth to God? Is it a passing hunger, and they think they’re going to die? To live for what is just in the stomach surely isn’t the reason why some people lead lives so sensual, with such a selfish attitude and Epicureanism that is so shallow, that they have nothing of lasting value to show for all their years of living when life is over.
Perhaps there is a deep-seated desire to learn a little about everything. They want to taste the forbidden fruit simply because they’ve heard of it and want to see if there truly are consequences for sin. When they try that sin, they often realize they’ve been fooled because of the guilt their own consciences impose. It might be that they wish they had died when they responded to that invitation to take the first drink or drug, because the results of that decision have brought them deep grief. They listened to the tempter's voice and acted on the temptation, only to discover that the brief pleasurable rush was fleeting.
Sensual, earthly pleasures are often passed from one unsatisfied person to another. Misery tends to attract company, and unhappy people prefer to gather in dark places where it’s easy to hide. What’s in a sinful heart drives someone to act on what is forbidden; a taste of wrongdoing can linger forever. The guilt just won’t go away. What they didn’t mean to start but then gave in to temptation was just the beginning of a wrong path, and the consequences soon took their toll. What could have been a fulfilling life with meaningful contributions to society and lasting relationships that started with promise ultimately ended in lasting conflict and regret.
When one’s mind is preoccupied with worldly things, there’s usually no turning back. By their very nature, earthly things cannot satisfy a person's heart or fulfill the basic needs of the human soul and spirit. They lack the fundamentals of personhood and the purpose of our existence. The things of earth cannot satisfy the heart of man, no matter what I taste or see. God created us in His image; He knows what He wants us to be. To trivialize life’s potential by focusing on what earth offers is to waste what one could become on empty cisterns and poisoned springs.
Don’t be misled; there is a better way that God has planned for you. He made no mistake when He gave you your life, along with your intellect, emotions, and the ability to make choices. Take a moment to listen to what He says in the Bible and apply those tested and proven life principles and the purpose of life to yourself. You will learn early on—and definitely before you finish reading the Bible—that what makes a person fulfilled and gives life meaning doesn’t come from the material things around us. That meaning comes from God, who can help you live in harmony with Him, all His creation, and those faithful people who love and serve Him. He can satisfy the whole person when one accepts His great salvation.
The "conversation" or citizenship of those who are aliens in this world involves our relationship with Christ and the interests of our heavenly Father. Our position in this citizenship is that of people whose home is in heaven, but we are here as a colony of heaven on earth. We obey the laws of the nation we live in and are subject to the government that has been "ordained by God." At the same time, we eagerly wait for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, to come. Our eyes look up as we crane our necks for the first sight of the Lord when He comes. Then these bodies of humiliation that so limit us in our lives and service for God will be changed. No longer will they be subject to death and decay. No longer will there be the barriers of time and space. Our bodies will be suited to heavenly living. But for now, what interests do I promote? What country and citizenship do I represent?