“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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17
The Bible speaks about love over six hundred times. Jesus states in Matthew that the two greatest commands are to love God and love others (Mt. 22:36-40). He clarifies love of God by saying that believers are to love him with all their heart, soul, and mind – in other words, with their whole self. In other parts of scripture, we see tangible ways how believers are to love others. Paul articulated that “love is patient and kind,” not envious or boastful, or “arrogant or rude” (1 Cor 13:4-6). In addition, Christians are to be known by their love (John 13:35), are to earnestly and sincerely love other Christians (1 Pt 1:22) and are to love their enemies (Luke 6:27). And if we consider these commands of love at large we can classify them by who we love and how we love.
Today’s verse is another command about love, yet it details for us what we are to not love – namely, the world and the things in the world. I think we can distinguish contextually what John means by the ‘world’ – the worldly systems that are contrary to God, his commands, and his kingdom. In addition, I think that there is a warning here for Christians, that while we can and should enjoy the good and beautiful gifts of this world, they are not to surpass our heart’s affection and desire for God and heavenly matters (Mt 6:19-21).
John clarifies what it is in the world that are not from God in verse 16, “the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life.” This clarification strikes me as an echo of what Eve succumbed to in the Garden, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (desire of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (desire of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Gen 3:6). How quickly it was for Eve to be deceived by the serpent and for Adam (to whom the command was explicitly given prior to Eve’s making – Gen 2:16-17) to acquiesce.
Satan tempted Jesus three times using the same tactics that he used in the Garden – desires of the flesh, desire of the eyes, and pride of life. When Jesus was hungry, Satan presented him with rocks to be turned into bread (desires of the flesh). Next, Satan took him to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and dared him to throw himself off the roof in order to prove that he was the Messiah. This spectacular display of power would have garnered immediate and fanatic followers (pride of life). Finally, Satan took him to the highest mountain and presented all the kingdoms of the world with their splendor should he just bow down and worship him (desire of the eyes). Thus, Satan presented the world and all that is in it to Jesus. But unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus didn’t succumb, making him the true and better Adam (Rom 5:12-21).
We are no exception. We are tempted (daily) with the desires of the flesh – from fits of anger to envy to drunkenness to indulgence to idolatry to sexual immorality and more (Gal 5:17-21). We are tempted (daily) with the desires of the eyes – from coveting and lusting after that which does not belong to us, whether that be money, possessions, power, or people. We are tempted (daily) with the pride of life – to gain more knowledge, to define truth according to ourselves, and be revered as important. Let’s take a pointer from Jesus and be armed with the Word of God. But moreover, let us praise God that Jesus, who was tempted in every way that we are, was without sin and consequently permits us to “draw near to the throne of grace and find mercy and grace in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16). And praise God, that he does not leave us in our sin but uses the Holy Spirit to convict us of it- not to condemn us (Rom 8:1), but to restore us to himself. Let us not forget that the Bible tells us that we can go to him because he is “faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9).
John finishes by stating the condition of the world – that it is temporal and passing away – and contrasts it against what is forever, namely those who abide in God. Thus, we believers have hope in the here in now as well as what’s to come – a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells (2 Pt 3:13).
Prayer: Father God, I confess that I often desire the things of the world and succumb to those desires. I praise you that you are willing and generous to provide grace and mercy when I need it. May I be humble to admit that I need you when I am being tempted and to not quench the Spirit. Give me an eternal perspective. Thank you for your son Jesus who washes away all my sin.
Reflection:
- What are some ways that the world is contrary to God?
- List some of the good and beautiful gifts in this world to which you are grateful. Take time to evaluate if you have esteemed or honored any of those good gifts more than God.
- Of the three things that are in the world – desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – which is most difficult for you to reject? What is appealing about it to you? Take time to pray and ask the Lord for help in that area. Also, think through practical ways to guard your heart and mind.
- Are you quick or slow to go to God and seek forgiveness when the Holy Spirit convicts you? Why?
Hymn to Sing: “Christ the True and Better”
