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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. 16 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. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17
INTRODUCTION
Few problems have been more troublesome for believers down through the centuries than worldliness. In an effort to reach our culture through relevancy, there is the potential of becoming just like the culture and losing our distinctive witness. Therefore, this lesson will specifically address the dangers of worldliness and how we, as Christians, can strive to avoid this pitfall.
“In an effort to reach our culture through relevancy, there is the potential of becoming just like the culture and losing our distinctive witness.”
DEFINING WORLDLINESS
The word “world” occurs 185 times in the New Testament. The Apostle John actually uses it 105 of those times (78 in his Gospel, 24 in his epistles, and 3 in the book of Revelation). This word “world” may be used to refer to the physical world (John 1:10), or to the individual people who make up the world's collective population (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). In these senses, there is nothing wrong with Christians loving the world. In fact, it would actually be wrong for Christians not to love the world in this sense. Christians should all gratefully enjoy God’s creation as faithful stewards, as well as strive to obey Christ's commandments by loving God and loving our neighbor. Loving our neighbor includes loving all people, both believers and unbelievers alike.
“The word “world” occurs 185 times in the New Testament. The Apostle John actually uses it 105 of those times.”
Therefore, the Apostle John uses the word “world” in this particular context to to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan's rule, which operates through unbelieving people who have been taken captive by the devil to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). In 1 John 5:19, John writes this: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” In this particular sense, Christians must rightly recognize that the world operates on the basis of ungodly thoughts, attitudes, motives, values, and goals (Isaiah 55:8-9). It does not seek to promote God’s glory, and it will not choose to submit to his sovereign authority (Romans 8:7). According to our text, it is in this sense that Christians must not love the world.
“The Apostle John uses the word 'world' in this particular context to to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan's rule, which operates through unbelieving people who have been taken captive by the devil to do his will.”
THE TRAPPINGS OF WORLDLINESS
A little further on, in verse 16 of our text, John takes the time to elaborate on what the love of the world actually is by listing three specific things: 1) “The lust of the flesh,” 2) “The lust of the eyes,” and 3) “The boastful pride of life.” Many have pointed out how the three aspects of temptation directly parallel the way that Satan tempted Eve. Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was good for food, which is an appeal to “the lust of the flesh.” She also saw that it was a delight to the eyes, which is an appeal to “the lust of the eyes.” And she saw that the fruit of the tree was desirable to make one wise, which is an appeal to “the boastful pride of life.” It should come as no surprise that the same pattern occurs in Satan’s temptation of Jesus as he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Satan urged Jesus to turn the stones into bread (“the lust of the flesh”).
“Many have pointed out how the three aspects of temptation directly parallel the way that Satan tempted Eve.”
Satan also offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth (“the lust of the eyes”). And Satan encouraged Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, which would have served as an immediate source of public validation (“the boastful pride of life”). While “the lust of the flesh” and “the lust of the eyes” refers to the desire to gain what we do not already possess, “the boastful pride of life” refers to a sinful pride over what we do currently possess. In other words, worldliness is an attitude that is motivated by both wrong desires and a wrongful promotion of self.
THE CURE FOR WORLDLINESS
John states the main command in the first half of verse 15: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” Then, he states the implication of not obeying this command in the second half of verse 15: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “The love of the Father,” could refer to God's love for us. However, in this particular context, this phrase is more likely intended to parallel the first half of the verse, which primarily refers to our love for God.
“The phrase 'the love of the Father,' in this context, does not primarily refer to God's love for us but our love for God.”
Notice that the Bible almost always directs its commandments to our hearts, or affections. The greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). King Solomon wrote, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from out of it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If a person's heart is captured by the world, they will love the things of the world regardless of what moral code they attempt to live by. However, if a person's heart is captured by love for God, they will be continually drawn to God and to the things of God. The only way that we can fight against the love of the world is to commit to growing in our love for the Father. If we are committed to loving God, this love will constantly be driving out love for the world. However, if we choose to harbor a love for the world, this love will constantly be driving out love for God. These two affections are diametrically opposed to one another. They cannot be mutually maintained. Therefore, we must conclude that the only thing powerful enough to drive out our love for the world is a new and more powerful love for God.
“If a person's heart is captured by the world, they will love the things of the world regardless of what moral code they attempt to live by.”
THIS WORLD IS PASSING AWAY
In verse 17 of our text, we find one final reason to obey God’s commandment to not love the world. In this verse, the temporary nature of this world is contrasted with the eternal promises of God. John writes, “And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.” If we love the world or the things in the world, we will lose them all at death. All that the worldly person lives for is gone in an instant. It means nothing in light of eternity. However, if a person commits to doing the will of God, they will abide with him in heaven throughout all eternity.
35 Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
Mark 8:35-37
CONCLUSION
The Apostle Paul warned of the dangers of worldliness when he wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). At the same time, Paul recognized that it is also quite possible for Christians to swing too far in the opposite direction. Throughout church history, there have been several cases of individuals going to extreme measures to withdraw from the world in the name of Christ. This is the method of the monastic movement and of certain isolationist groups, such as the Amish. These individuals have a tendency overextend their jurisdiction by creating “extra-biblical” rules as a desperate attempt to ensure morality. Concerning such man-made rules, Paul wrote, “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:23). Creating strict rules will never ultimately succeed in our quest to avoid worldliness because, at its core, the avoidance of worldliness is a matter of the heart.
1) Although we are called to share the gospel with our words, rather than merely through our actions, in what ways can unbelievers notice a difference between your actions and theirs?
2) Have you ever been a part of a community that imposed “extra-biblical” rules on others? Can you list two or three examples of “extra-biblical rules?”
3) John describes worldliness as: 1) “The lust of the flesh,” 2) “The lust of the eyes,” and 3) “The boastful pride of life.” Which of these areas are you currently struggling with the most? Explain.
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