1 John 2:15-16

NASB	NLT	VOICE
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.	15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.	15 Don’t fall in love with this corrupt world or worship the things it can offer. Those who love its corrupt ways don’t have the Father’s love living within them.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the yes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but of this world.	16 For the world offers, only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.	16 All the things of the world can offer to you – the allure of pleasure, the apssion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority – do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world.

The World’s Desires Are Not Lovely

“The world” talks about the fallen, sinful nature of humanity that the systems within it that operate in opposition to God’s will. It’s not about being against what God created, but a warning against prioritizing the desires of this world over God’s desire for us. The early church faced presses from the Roman cultural and Jewish traditions, which often conflicted with the teachings of God. Loving this world is shown by desires that are temporary and self-centered, whereas the desires are God are eternal and selfless love. The “love of the Father” refers to both the love that God has for us and the love that we have for God. When one is consumed by the worldly desires, it shows a lack of genuineness in their relationship with God. The absence of God’s love for someone who love’s the world serves as a warning a call for us to repent and align ourselves with God’s will.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What is one thing that you are constantly tempted by in the world today?

Loving God’s World through The World

Loving the world and loving God are two completely separate things. They may feel intertwined but remember what we talked about was loving the world’s desires. The world itself is something that God created and the world itself can definitely be used for the desires of God. The desires of the world are often focused on pride, successes, achievements. It’s trying to achieve power, control, and influence through whatever means necessary. It often disregards those around us. We must keep the focus of what we’re doing in our life centered on the plans that God has for us. Our words and our actions must remain centered on God’s grace and mercy. When we start to let the desires of the world overtake our focus and push out keeping God first, that’s when we start to walk off the path that God created for us. We must make sure we examine our desires and affections, and double check that they are God led. Think about this example: say we’re going to help at our local homeless shelter. Why are you doing that? Are you doing it because you genuinely want to help people? Are you doing it because you need volunteer hours? Are you doing it because your crash is going to be there? Are you doing it to show your fanbase that you’re a good person? The “why” that exists in your heart behind your actions is what God will look at above anything. Make sure your “why” aligns with His.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Think about one goal you have for yourself. Is it something that you want to do? Or is it something that God has called you to do?

What Are the Things in This World?

A thing to remember: “The world” refers to the system of values and practices opposed to God. The “physical pleasure” refers to the sinful cravings that come from our inherent fallen human nature. It involves the physical appetites and sensual pleasures that are contrary to what God wants for His creation. The “craving for what we see” talks about our jealousy and the deep want for our material possessions or appearances. The eyes are viewed often as gateways to the heart, and Jesus warns about the danger of what we allow ourselves to see. The “pride of our achievements and possessions” talks about arrogance and self-sufficiency. All those things are not from God. God is the source of everything good, holy, and righteous, which goes against the physical pleasure, earthly cravings, and pride of our stuff.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Between the “physical pleasures,” the “cravings of what see,” and the “pride of our achievements and possessions” – which one do you struggle with the most?

How to Live as God Intended

We need to focus on the desires that align with who God is and what His plan is for the world. We need to focus on God’s love. God’s agape love is all about self-sacrifice, shown ultimately through the sacrifice of His son the cross to pay the price of humanity’s sins. Our self-sacrifice could be through our resources, our time, our energy, or even our lives. It’s using our excess resources for our neighbors to help meet their needs and not hoard them for our excess. God’s humility is shown through his patience. God allows us as much time as needed to return back to His ways and work towards committing to a relationship with Him. We’re not perfect. He knows we’re not perfect, and still works with us and walks alongside us every step of the way. We need to be more patient with the people around us. A lot of us do not give people the proper time and support to co-exist through life in the way they need to. To be patient means to endure in the longsuffering. It’s knowing that things may not go as fast or as easy as you’d like, but because you love and care for the other person or people, you are willing to trudge through the mud with them to get to the other side. God wants us to be servants. He calls us to be His hands and feet to the world around us, spreading His message and His will to all that we encounter. It’s actually putting our world of love and humility to the test and showing our faith through what we say and do. It’s time to put our love, humility, and service to the test and embrace the lifestyle that God created us to live.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Out of love, humility, and service – which one are you stronger in? Which one is your weakest?

PRAY Actions

Praise God for the good life that He created for us to live, even if the life we have has not been positive in any sort of way.

Read James 1:14-15.

Ask God for help in fighting the battles of temptation that pull you towards the desires of the world and away from the plan He has for you.

You were created to do great things in this world. Align your goals with God’s plan to create the best life you can live.

Next slice of manna: Wisdom and Prayer || Colossians 1:9 || Manna for the Mind #298