Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 NABRE
In the letter of John to the community we have heard John speaking about love, the love of God, the love of our brothers and sisters. John changes direction here, telling us not to love the world or the things of the world. The world is human society or culture, often against or indifferent to God. John commands us to not love values and temptations considered hostile to God. If you love these things of the world, you are against God. Then John gives examples of negative qualities. Sensual lust, the desire of the flesh not in love but for pleasure. The enticement of the eyes, pornography or looking upon others objectifying them, rather than loving. A pretentious life, a boastful life, bragging about your possessions, property, livelihood and success, particularly to stand above others. Not everything of the world is bad, but when we seek pleasure over fulfillment, immediate satisfaction over the ultimate, replace people with things or seek experience over exclusivity we are sinning and we do not have the Father in us nor are we in Him.
We seek happiness and joy but never at the expense of someone. In fact we should strive to spread our happiness and joy to others. Happy people are people at peace, with themselves, others and God. Sin undermines peace by separating us and substituting objects for our pleasure. Happy people need others in their lives, people they love and who love back. By our love others must know their importance. Our love should be happiness to others.
Do you put people first? How can you best avoid “things of the world”?
We seek happiness and joy but never at the expense of someone. In fact we should strive to spread our happiness and joy to others. Happy people are people at peace, with themselves, others and God. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #sin #hope #John#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion#biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse#verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews#loveeachother #godisgreat #bocaraton#youversion #everythingalways