Text: 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16For 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.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Lust of the flesh
Lust of the flesh is indulging in pleasures of the body. Those things that excite and inflame fleshly pleasures. Lust is usually called luxury.
Luxury is comforts that excel the normal lifestyle. These can be sexual or material possessions.
Lust of the eyes
The eye is delighted with treasures, possessions and rich possessions are craved by an extravagant eye. This is the lust of covetousness.
Pride of life
A vain mind craves the grandeur, and pomp of a vain glorious life style. This is ambition and thirsting after honor and applause. Flatteries,
Admiration and praise sought after.
Does this apply to everyone?
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
There are three categories in these verses. Little children, young men and fathers.
Little children are new believers. There sins are forgiven. They need to be aware of the dangers of this world. They are new, novices. There are pitfalls they need to be aware of.
Young men and strong in the Lord. These are adults. They have arrived at maturity. These have overcome the wicked one. He who can overcome the devil can overcome the world; even conquer the world for Christ.
Fathers are those that are grounded and settled in their walk with the Lord. They have avoided the pitfalls for a long time now. However, don't get to confident. You can stumble and fall too. Don't let the world trip you up. Paul tells Timothy of Demas who stumbled and fell.
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia Dalmatia .
Remember the words of Solomon;
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
The Apostle Paul agrees with John. Let the mind of Christ be in you. Think on the things of God and the things of this world will not be very important to you.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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