Zambia Hunt

The Apostle John wrote a sobering warning in 1 John 2:15-17: “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.”

To understand this warning, we must first define what John means by “the world.” In this context, “world” refers to the community of sinful humanity that possesses a spirit of rebellion against God.

Why We Must Not Love the World

We cannot love God and love the world simultaneously. We must make a choice. God calls us to submission, surrender, and obedience. The world scoffs at those values and calls us to reject external authority and live for ourselves. The world and God are fundamentally opposed to one another.

Furthermore, the world and its offerings are temporary—they are “passing away.” God has created us in Christ Jesus to live for things that will last for eternity: “He who does the will of God abides forever” (v. 17).

How the World Operates

The world has its own priorities (Colossians 2:8), values (Ephesians 2:2), and fashion (1 Corinthians 7:31). The world is controlled by Satan, who is called the “god of this world” (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation are energized by the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

Christians are tempted to fall in love with the world—to conform to its priorities, values, and fashion. The world tempts us by appealing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (v. 16). When Christians yield to this temptation, they become “worldly.”

The Process of Becoming Worldly

A child of God does not become worldly overnight. Worldliness is a gradual process. It begins by developing a friendship with the world (James 4:4). We then become spotted by the world (James 1:27). All too soon, we find ourselves conformed to the world. When this happens, others cannot distinguish between a worldly person and a Christian (Romans 12:2).

Four Disastrous Results of Loving the World

Falling in love with the world produces at least four devastating consequences in a Christian’s life:

1. We forsake God and His work (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:10). If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us (v. 15).

2. We make ourselves enemies of God (James 4:4).

3. We fall into sins that corrupt us (2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:16).

4. We are ultimately deceived by false teachers (1 John 4:1; 2 John 7). Worldliness in Christianity creates fertile ground for false teachers and teaching.

A Personal Challenge

Child of God, does love for your Heavenly Father control your life, or are you in love with the world and what it offers? Choose to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. Give Him first place in your priorities and the decisions you make. This is God’s will for all of us.

If you find that you have not been in love with God, confess that as sin and return to Him. He will welcome you with open arms.