Its pretty things

(Arthur W. Pink)

The more fully we are conformed unto the image
of Christ—the less power will the world have to
attract us. When I say that, I refer to something
more than its amusements and grosser sins; I
mean also its pretty things.

One of the marks of a child is to value a thing
not according to its worth and usefulness—but
according to its attractiveness to the eye.

The more we are really growing in grace—the less
shall we be attracted by such baubles, and the more
attention shall we give to the adorning of our souls.

One half of practical godliness, is a dying unto the world;
the other half is a living unto God: the mortification of
self-love; and the strengthening of love to God. "But God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and
I unto the world." (Galat. 6:14) That is the language and
the experience of a mature saint—dead to the world. It
no longer has any attraction for him, nor power over him.