No, worldly pleasures and success cannot lead to lasting fulfillment because they are temporary and not from the Father.
According to Scripture, the world and its desires pass away, while doing God's will lasts forever. Les Feldick emphasizes that the fast lane of pleasures and success often burns people out in just a few years, leading to regret instead of eternal joy, whereas focusing on eternal things brings true life and peace.
1 John 2:15-17 — This passage directly contrasts love for the world with doing God's will, showing that worldly desires pass away but God's will endures.
2 Corinthians 4:18 — This verse contrasts the temporary seen things with the eternal unseen things, which is central to why worldly success is fleeting.
Scripture clearly teaches that the world and its desires are not lasting. 1 John 2:15-17 warns, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." It goes on to say that all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father, but of the world. The passage concludes, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Similarly, 2 Corinthians 4:18 instructs believers not to focus on things that are seen (temporal) but on things that are not seen (eternal), because the seen things are temporary. Colossians 3:2 also says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." These verses show that earthly pleasures and successes are fleeting, while eternal matters are what truly last.
Les Feldick teaches that the world's attractions—wealth, beauty, fame, and so-called "good times"—are temporary and often lead to destruction. He points out that entertainers who "live in the fast lane" often burn out quickly, dying from lung cancer, AIDS, or other ailments after just a few years of pleasure, turning their backs on eternity of real pleasure (Clip 2). He emphasizes that even if someone could live 70 years, they could only truly "live it up" for 10 to 20 years before their body gives out, and then they face an eternity of regret and doom instead of bliss (Clip 4). Les also stresses the importance of having priorities straight: it's not wrong to have things like homes, cars, or boats, but when they become the first priority and blind people to spiritual truths, they become a trap (Clip 5). He uses the example of Eve, who, despite having everything in paradise, was tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Clip 7). Ultimately, Les teaches that anticipation of eternal things is greater than realizing worldly desires, and that eternity is far more valuable than a few years of fleeting pleasure (Clip 6).
Les Feldick explains that 1 John 2:16 describes the three areas of temptation that people face: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are the same temptations Eve faced in the Garden of Eden, and they are the same ones that trip people up today. The lust of the flesh is any fleshly appetite that can overwhelm us, the lust of the eye is that which looks alluring but often isn't gold, and the pride of life is what keeps many from salvation because they are too proud to admit they need God.
Les Feldick points out that even if someone lives 70 years, they can only genuinely "live it up" for 10, 15, or 20 years at most because the body can't take it longer. Entertainers often burn out in just a few years, dying from lung cancer, AIDS, or other causes. So people trade an eternity of bliss for a short season of so-called pleasure, which is foolish.
Les Feldick clarifies that the Bible doesn't condemn things themselves—it's a matter of priorities. Having a nice home, car, or boat isn't wrong, but when those things become the first priority and blind us to spiritual truths, we're in trouble. We need to seek first the kingdom of God and keep our priorities straight, focusing on eternal things more than temporal ones.
The Three Temptations Everyone Faces — Eve to Jesus Explained
at any time of the day or night, boldly, and come into the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in that time of need. I mean, the door is always open. You know, a lot of times you'll read of new executives and presidents or football coaches, pro football coaches, and they call it, they have an open door policy.
Grace vs. Mercy: What's the Real Difference? (Bible Explained)
The same thing the world throws at us today. Why do you give up the good time? Why get out of the fast lane just for the sake of being a Christian? Why don't you live it up? Why don't you enjoy the flesh? Because after all, when you're dead, it's all over. And Paul says if that's true, there's probably merit in what they're saying. Go ahead.
The Fast Lane Burns Out
Les explains that people in the fast lane, like entertainers, often burn out in just a few years and die prematurely, turning their backs on an eternity of real pleasure for a short time of so-called pleasure.
Temporal vs. Eternal
Les contrasts the world's focus on the temporal with the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God, warning not to lose sight of the eternal.
Short Season of Living It Up
Les shows that even in a 70-year life, one can only truly live it up for 10 to 20 years, and then faces an eternity of regret and doom instead of bliss.
Priorities and Carnal Mindedness
Les warns that when material things become the first priority and blind us to spiritual truths, we are making a tragic mistake, leading to spiritual death rather than life and peace.
Anticipation vs. Realization
Les illustrates that anticipation in worldly things is greater than realization, but for eternal things, anticipation is great and the realization will be even greater.
Three Temptations
Les explains that the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life are the three areas of temptation that trip people up, as seen in Eve's case.
1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
This is the key passage that directly answers why worldly pleasures don't last—they are not from the Father and will pass away, but doing God's will endures forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
This verse contrasts the temporary nature of seen things (worldly success) with the eternal nature of unseen things (spiritual matters).
Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
This instructs believers to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly, which are temporary.
Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Les references this to show that making God's kingdom the priority ensures our needs are met, rather than obsessing over material things.
No, Les Feldick teaches that these things are not wrong in themselves, but they become a problem when they become the first priority and blind us to spiritual truths. The Bible says to seek first God's kingdom, and then all these things will be added.
Les Feldick points out that many entertainers who live in the fast lane burn out quickly—dying from lung cancer, AIDS, or other ailments—after just a few years of so-called pleasure. They trade an eternity of joy for a short season of temporary satisfaction.
Les teaches that you must keep your priorities straight and focus on eternal things. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, and remember that anticipation of eternal things is great, but the realization will be even greater.
Watch the Teaching: The Three Temptations Everyone Faces — Eve to Jesus Explained