I John 2:15-17   "Do not love the world nor the things of the world."  John writes.  This world - kosmos - this orderly arrangement, this literal or figurative decoration..  love of the world pushes out the love of the Father..  The love of the world is superficial, fleeting, and perishing.  It is evident through three ways...  "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life".  These things are "not from the Father".  

 Lust is a longing, a craving, a coveting after that which is forbidden;  it is setting your heart on those things that are "not from the Father."

The" lust of the flesh"  means to desire, crave, or set our hearts on the things that our bodies want..
Eve wanted the fruit that was forbidden.
Esau wanted the food that Jacob cooked more than the inheritance worth so much more.
David wanted Bathsheba...
We want fancy houses, clothes, cars, or wealth...and when that is not enough we want to stay distracted.. by drugs, alcohol, sex, or whatever else makes us feel good for the moment.

Jesus said, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you." ( all the things we really need) Don't  be anxious about it.  Don't pursue it. Don't crave it.  Trust God to know what you need and allow Him to be Your provider.  "Give us this day our daily bread."  Jesus teaches us to pray. 
When Satan came to the wilderness to tempt Jesus, he told Him to turn the stones into bread.. to satisfy His flesh after 40 days of fasting.  But, Jesus saw through the lie.  It wasn't bread for the body that the Father wanted Him to have.. but "the Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God".  Feed the spirit and allow God to take care of the body.

The "lust of the eyes"  - Proverbs 27: 20 says, " Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied."  The craving for more and more and more.. never satisfied..  That particular sin is very evident in our world today.   The rich want more riches.  The poor want more than they can afford. The advertisements are everywhere.. enticing us to want what they are selling.
If we don't have the money.. well, financing is available... 
Paul wrote to Timothy, " And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content."  The writer of Hebrews wrote, " Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.'"  ( 13:5)
Jesus told those who wanted to follow Him, " The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." ( Matt. 8:20) 
Can we be content with that?
Or can we be like Jesus.  Paul said, "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. " ( Phil. 4:11)

The third area that shows a "love of the world". .. is "the  boastful pride of life".  Jesus lists pride as one of those things that "proceeds out of the man,"  which "defiles the man."  "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deed of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."  ( Mark 7:21-23)  Pride.. arrogance.. boasting..
Proverbs 11:2 says, " When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."  And Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
Jeremiah 9:23-24 " Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord."  
Paul wrote, " But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world."  ( Gal. 6:14)


Father in heaven, take away any love of the world that remains in our hearts. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  May we seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness only.  May we find contentment in the riches of Your grace alone.  May we boast only of the cross of Jesus and that precious blood that was shed for us.  May Your love be the only love that remains in us.  We ask this in Christ Jesus, who sits at Your right hand interceding for us. amen.

I originally wrote this in 2019.. it has stuck with me and I can't say it any differently.. Oh how we need Jesus!