Don't Love the World
Notes
Transcript
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 2:15-17
This is the first of three lessons to finish this chapter.
Don’t Love the World
Warnings against Antichrist's
Abiding in Christ
This also follows the three groups of believers he is addressing.
Little Children
Fathers
Young Men
This indicates that each of these lessons apply to the entirety of the church leaving no one out.
Verse 15:
Why this prohibition?
The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them.
The world and the things of the world are alluring and enticing, just like the fruit in the garden, pleasant to look at and desirous to be had.
Matthew 6:19–21 ““Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
John 6:27 “Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.””
Mark 10:29–30 ““Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come.”
See the reason in the text 1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
He is the charge that the heart cannot contain both, it is narrow, in capable of loving and serving both. Matthew 6:24 ““No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays.
See the seriousness of the charge, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”
This questions the depth of the man, the root in him, the seed planted, the core of his nature. He is either born of God, born from above, or he is still a son of Satan, born of sin.
Verse 16:
He now classifies the world and the things of the world.
The lust of the flesh.
The lust of the eyes.
The pride in one’s possessions (the pride of life.)
Let us break each down.
The lust of the flesh?
The phrase "lust of the flesh" in 1 John 2:16 refers to human desires and cravings that stem from our physical nature and are often contrary to spiritual values.
James 1:13–15 “No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”
The lust of the eyes?
The "lust of the eyes" mentioned in 1 John 2:16 refers to the human tendency to covet or desire things that we see, especially material possessions, appearances, or anything that appeals to visual attraction. It speaks to the temptation of being captivated by outward appearances or longing for things that may not align with spiritual or moral values.
Remember Eve, Genesis 3:6 “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”
The pride in one’s possessions, (pride of life)?
In 1 John 2:16, "the pride in one's possession" or "the pride of life" refers to an excessive focus on material things and achievements, which can lead people away from their relationship with God. The verse is part of a larger passage that warns against loving the world and the things it offers, as these are temporary and ultimately lead to spiritual harm.
The word translated life in the KJV in Greek is: Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)βίος bíos, bee'-os; a primary word; life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood:—good, life, living.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon [?](Jump to Scripture Index)STRONGS G979:βίος, -ου, ὁ, [from Homer down];
a. life extensively, i. e. the period or course of life [see below and Trench, § xxvii.]: Luke 8:14; 1 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:16; 1 Peter 4:3 [Rec.].
b. (as often in Greek writings from Hesiod, Works, 230, 575; Herodotus, Xenophon) that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth [A. V. living]: Mark 12:44; Luke 8:43 [WH omits; Tr marginal reading brackets the clause]; Luke 15:12, 30; Luke 21:4; 1 John 3:17 [goods]. (For לֶחֶם in Proverbs 31:14 (Prov. 29:32).)
Note that these are not from the Father!!
Any lust that draws you away from God.
Any desire that divides your loyalties.
Any activity that hinders your worship.
Verse 17:
Also don’t love the world because of it’s temporary nature. We should not strive after bread that will not last John 6:27.
All sin is temporary and the end of all sin is death.
They that do the will of the Father, the will of God remain (abide), forever. This is to contrast the temporary nature of the world.
What is it that those who do the will of the Father do?
They believe and possess genuine faith.
FThey have genuine love for the Father.
They have crucified the love of the world.
The lust of the Flesh.
The lust of the Eyes.
The pride in one’s possession, (The pride of Life).
John 6:29 “Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.””
Application
Application
Prioritize eternal values over worldly desires. Focus on lasting treasures.
Guard your heart against temptations. Be vigilant about worldly temptations.
Cultivate on going, genuine love for God. Deepen your relationship with the Father.
