The Vanity of the World.

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Does Satan tempt you—either by pleasures, power or profits? O my soul, stand upon your guard, gird on your strength with such thoughts as these:

What can the world profit me—if its cares choke me?

How can pleasures comfort me—if their sting poisons me?

What advancement is this—to be triumphing in honour before the face of men here, and to be trembling for shame before the throne of God hereafter?

What are the delights of the world—compared to my peace of conscience, or the joy that is in the Holy Spirit?

What are the applauses of men—compared to the eternal crown of glory prepared by God?

What is the gain of the world—compared to the loss of my soul?

The vanity of the world is far beneath the excellency of my soul. Therefore, Satan, I am determined to resist you, for you desire my eternal loss!

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!" 1 John 2:15-17