I had a dream recently in which I was going through a series of spiritual tests over and over again. I was totally dismayed and tired of having to go through so many tests. I knew the goal was to get to total and perfect obedience, but…
In the dream there was an angel who was smiling at me, just as it seemed that I had failed and given up. The angel explained that the last test is to beat “the affections of this world.” He told me to my embarrassment I had a lot of “affections for this world.”
James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity toward God
I John 2:15 – Do not love the world, nor the things in the world
This is not just repentance of sin. In general we as dedicated followers of Yeshua don’t sin and don’t want to sin. And yet there can be an inward affection for the things of the world, even though we don’t sin. For this reason Yeshua also told us to pray:
Matthew 6:12 – Lead us not into temptation
It is our affections for the things of this world that lead to temptation, which leads to sin, which leads to destruction. To beat the affections for the world is the last test; it roots out of our hearts the place of potential temptation.
Luke 9:23 – Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily
The first step to following after Yeshua is to “deny” oneself. As we say “No” to the affections of this world our heart is free and pure to follow after the Lord.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.