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.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God, abideth forever.
Scripture teaches that the god of this world is Satan. This does not mean that he is equal to Yahweh, but that he has temporary influence over the fallen earth — especially over the unbelieving. He is the author of the pride and lust that leads to covetousness and envy. Desire becomes an apetite the more the eyes behold, because just as he tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world, he tempts those in the world to live like kings — often far beyond their means.
God wants his children to have abundant lives. Afterall, the riches of the world belong to Him, and He gives them for our enjoyment. But idol worship is just as real today as it was in the day of the golden calf — and throughout many generations of Israels history. John chose his words wisely when he warned us to not love the “things” of the world. Inanimate objects, strange as it may seem, can have an effect that resembles infatuation. It is possible to love the people God created and still love Him, because God is love and His love flows through His children. But it is impossible to feel God’s love from a material object. Material items cannot return affection, offer comfort, or possess a Spirit that testifies with our spirit. Only God can do those things.
“Love not the world”, because the world is run by three forces: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — and these three work together to pull us away from God. Paul reminds us that “the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). This is the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers face in the form of temptation. The appetite of the flesh is fed by what the eyes see. Through the eyes, our pleasure points are triggered. This is why Jesus says, “Whosoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). When the eye moves from simply admiring God’s creation to desiring to possess it, lust is at work.
Possession leads to a prideful life because it takes credit for what was received from God and attributes it to the work of the possessor. The prideful heart only sees what is in front of it and is incapable of seeing who God is — the Protector and the Provider. When lust and pride blind us from the Protector and Provider, we become vulnerable to the god of this world — the one we must not love because he does not love us. His only aim is to steal us from our Heavenly Father, kill the eternal life God has promised His children, and destroy our time on earth — one lust-driven desire after another. The world and its cravings provide satisfaction for a short time but leave the soul empty continually. Only those that do the will of God abide forever.
Father God in Heaven, Your creations bring endless beauty into this fallen world. I pray for the strength to admire and enjoy what you give me without craving to possess what is not meant for me. Teach me to see Your love in Your creations, without pridefully seeking the short-lived satisfaction the world offers. Keep my heart anchored in You, and let my desires reflect Your will for me. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.