Do Not Love the World

I was reading 1 John 2:15-17 which says, "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. 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Many new Christians may not understand what is meant in this context by world, or worldly. The world does not refer to the physical creation, but to the sphere of evil operating in our world under the dominion of Satan.

Often world is used to indicate people of this world who are said to lie in wickedness. These people mainly pursue and cherish the things of this world. World may also denote the fleeting character of life's riches and pleasures and the folly of making them of central importance in one's life. "Will a person gain anything if he wins the whole world, but loses his life." Matt.16:26

Jesus wants His followers to live in the world to serve and to witness but not to get caught up in the godless pleasures and perversities of life.

1 John 4:4 says, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." That which fundamentally distinguishes the people of the world and the people of God is their attitudes toward Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is greater than Satan and true believers may overcome deceiving teachers.