Love Not the World

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any many love 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 pride of life,

is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)

There are many things in the world that we are commanded to love: our spouses, children, neighbors [Ephesians 5:25; Mark 12:33] our fellow believers and the fellowship of saints [Ephesians 4:2] and all that God the Father graciously bestows upon us—whether material, physical, mental, or Spiritual, Romans 14:14; 1 Timothy 4:4. However, it is important to note that we are specifically commanded to not love the world.

While we can enjoy many aspects of God’s creation, as He is the Creator, Giver and Governor of all, believers are called to be separate from the world as a fallen, depraved system [cosmos]. The world we are to detest is the realm of wickedness that opposes Christ, both externally and within ourselves, 1 John 5:19.

When the Holy Spirit breathes the life of Christ into a sinner's soul, He translates that soul from death to life, from darkness to Light, John 5:24. This transformation Spiritually separates the believer from the world, setting their affections on Christ, Colossians 3:2. A person redeemed by Christ and made alive by the Spirit will not willingly love anything above God. The Spirit continually draws the believer’s heart toward the LORD Jesus Christ, prompting them to serve Him alone. As Matthew 6:24 says, we cannot serve two masters. This principle holds true in both Doctrine and practice; we cannot take satisfaction in anything that dishonors Christ.

All that stands opposed to Christ can be summed up as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Every temptation and sin can be traced back to one of these three sources:

1. The Lust of the Flesh: Carnal and sensual desires rooted in our sinful, fallen nature, Romans 8:7-8.
2. The Lust of the Eyes: The desire for the approval and praise of others, Matthew 6:1-5; John 5:44.
3. The Pride of Life: Ambition and honor that seek self-glory instead of recognizing oneself as the chief of sinners, James 4:16.

Indeed, the flesh is a real and evil enemy within. Yet, the LORD knows who are His and He died to deliver those He has redeemed from the evil within them and in this fallen world. He promises to keep each one from being condemned with the world, as He states in John 17:15: “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

Thankfully, Christ has already fulfilled the commandment to not love the world on behalf of those for whom He died and He now lives to intercede for them, Hebrews 7:25.