1 John 2:15 - 16

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16 NASB). The context of our verse includes topics of our sin and the fact that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, the importance of keeping his commandments, that we are to walk in the light and love one another, and comments on spiritual growth. It is from these discussions that we are next instructed concerning our relationship to the world. This is important because we know, by looking ahead a few verses, that the antichrist is coming and that his influence is already in the world.

Our verses are a warning about being careful concerning the influence the world can have on us in drawing us away from our love for the Lord and other believers. “Do not” is a command pointing to what we are not to do; we are not to love the world because if you do it will draw your love away from the Father. We are not to love the things of the world because if we do we will spend time with them instead of with our Father. The things of the word may be desired and possessed, but used for the purposes which God intended. They are to be used by his grace and for his glory, for if they are not they will be used for selfish purposes, allowing sin to creep into our lives and cool our love for God.

The things of the world are grouped into three categories: “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.” The lust of the flesh relates to wrong desires of the heart, which stimulates sensual pleasure. The lust of the eyes is the attraction to riches and rich possessions; a heart of covetousness. The boastful pride of life is seeking honor and applause from others. These things are not from the Father and therefore are only temporary, but what the Father has to offer through Jesus Christ are eternal and will meet, in a meaningful way, the desires of our heart. Be on guard and do not be deceived because the world is relentless in its pursuit to overcome you.

Prayer

Father, thank you for providing an alternative to what the world has to offer. In the world I see evidence of your creative hand, but I also see things that appeal to my sinful nature. Father, I need to be careful and take time to let my spiritual eyes look at eternal things not seen by the physical eye and see their everlasting beauty and usefulness. Encourage me to choose those eternal things you offer through Jesus Christ and not the temporary highs of the things of the world.