Temptation, porn and valuing Jesus

I didn't plan it this way, but our corporate worship May 27 as Covenant Community Church turned out to focus in a significant way on esteeming Jesus as our greatest treasure. Our musicians were out of town, so I chose the songs, in addition to leading in worship. I realized at some point -- I think during this time of worship -- that even songs I had not considered in this way were about Christ's supreme value. I thank God the Spirit for His leadership in demonstrating an important part of His ministry -- making much of God the Son.

For instance, here are some lines or verses about Jesus' value from the songs our church sang that day:

-- “For He alone is worthy, for He alone is worthy, for He alone is worthy, Christ the Lord.”

-- “On earth is not His equal”

-- “Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also – the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever.”

-- "I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection."

-- "Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold; Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with You."

-- "Give me Jesus; give me Jesus; you can have all this world; you can have all this world; you can have all this world, but give me Jesus."

It shouldn't be surprising that valuing and treasuring Jesus should be at the heart of our worship as individuals and as a church. The Father has exalted Him to the highest place. We should seek in our worship to follow suit by exalting our Lord and Savior.

It seems to me our lives are largely about value. Whom do we value? What do we value? Whatever we value -- or whomever we value -- determines how we live much of our lives. What -- or whom -- we value receives our attention, time and resources. We dwell on in our minds what or whom we truly value. We commit our schedules to what or whom we truly value. We give priority to what we truly value. Other things and other relationships fade in comparison to what we truly value.

This concept has deep and wide implications for life. It affects our approach to spending time in God's Word and in prayer. It affects our approach to our church. It affects our approach to our marriage. It affects our approach to parenting, to finances, to work, to school, to friendships, to leisure time, to hobbies, and the list goes on.

It also affects our response to temptation, it seems to me. Whatever the temptation -- and gluttony, mindless entertainment, pornography and inappropriate relationships are only some -- it seems treasuring Jesus is an indispensable part of overcoming.

So some of the questions that flow from this reality are: Whom -- or what -- do we value supremely? Is Jesus our greatest treasure? If so, is that evaluation on our part reflected in how we live our lives?

In about three minutes, D.A. Carson -- author and professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in suburban Chicago -- shares in this video interview with Desiring God about overcoming temptation, specifically porn. He comments on the practical, negative aspect but also on the positive aspect of delighting in Jesus.