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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2: 15-16
Some Christians might read the passage above and think this does not refer to them. I am not so arrogant, primarily because I’m constantly humbled. People may be more prone to certain sins than others, but does that mean we should think: Oh, I would never fall into this or that. The Bible tells us haughtiness comes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
Satan is ruled by pride and knows this is our nature (Isaiah 14:12-15). He likes to use our weaknesses, which could involve an area we feel we are strong in. We don’t have our Spiritual guard up in these areas; satan and his minions come around, twist sin, and seek carnal relations.
Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27
Many seek to acquire or partake in some things the world offers, but how does one know if he or she loves the things of the world or not? Desire? Well, we know our desires should be God-led, but there are hidden ways we commit spiritual adultery that are hard to discern.
We are not to love the world or the things in it. Our desire is to please God in everything we do.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31
We do this because we Love God (Matthew 22:36-40). God is Love. Christians are supposed to be ruled by Love. Throughout the Bible, we learn what true Love is and how it is practiced in our lives. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:21
So, we indulge in worldliness if what we are reaching for, doing, or achieving does not align with the God we love. We can’t love sin and God at the same time. It’s either one or the other. (Matthew 6:24) The Word and Holy Spirit should lead our lives.
Someone once said I was crazy for trying to seek out God in all areas of my life, such as business and finances. Truth is, it is my love for Christ that allows this to happen naturally. I don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), so I seek out Biblical wisdom. This helps me live in the world yet not fall into its seductive traps. As I keep Him first place in my life, the Lord helps me continually filter what I should participate in, do, reach for, and even buy.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22)
Loving the world means you are also participating in fleshly masturbation; you are pleasing yourself, which is a bad form of self-love.
….For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
For pride of life, we see pride in what we have and those who cling to their life instead of Christ (Luke 17:33). Lust of the flesh and eyes connects to what you don’t have; you crave it. People often buy things they don’t need. They covet other people’s possessions and their husbands or wives. This world is ruled by this.
Our flesh and satan constantly attempts to seduce us so that we forget about God. This seduction is done in many ways, such as enticing worldly offerings.
What is your desire? What is truly ruling you? Yes, we may fall, but we strive not to.
Here are questions for reflection:
Am I seeking the glory of man or the glory of God? (John 5:42–44)
Am I simply reaching for this job because it makes a lot of money or will give me worldly praise?
Will God guide us to be entertained by sin? Which is glorified in many secular films, theater, music, or books.
Do you never see a struggle between your wants and God’s desires?
Perhaps when you go to the store you think: I need to pick up some things. While I’m out, maybe God will open an opportunity to share my faith. Or, do you always have the longing desire and hope of sharing your faith with someone, and, of course, you need to pick up a few things.
What do you put above God? Is it your children? Comfort? Money? Conspiracy theories? Fashion? Politics? Sports?
These kinds of reflections can help us go deeper to unearth hidden love for the world and the flesh that we cannot always see so easily. In 1 John 5:4, we see that it is our faith that helps us overcome worldliness. As we grow in love, our faith is strengthened.
Love,
I would like to understand what you mean by worldly masturbation. How is pleasing yourself or self-love a bad thing? I come from a place where I serve better when I feel that what I am doing is more meaningful and productive when it comes from a place of Love. And I do love myself, I love God, God is love. Please help me understand why I am confused?
Hi There. Hmm. Well, the theme throughout the reflection is simply that God should be first place in a Christian’s life. If what we do truly comes from a place of Love, then God is leading and in the forefront, not us. This does not mean we cannot enjoy what we are doing.
Perhaps you are taking what was said out of context. The world’s idea of self-love (n love in general) is selfish, even if they are doing something nice for themselves or others. In the context of the sentence you mentioned and the prior and following ones, I’m referring to that form of self-love.You should Love yourself (with Godly, Biblical Love), but there is a proper order, which is required for True Love.
So, yes, if you are helping others or doing something just to please yourself (or simply putting yourself or others before God), that is self-lovin.
It might be hard to understand that doing something nice for yourself or others could be self-idolatry, but the devil can hide in nice deeds.
My desire is to keep God first and please Him in everything I do. This, in return, pleases my spirit being and can flow to other aspects of me. He guides me to help here or there. I am obedient because of his Love and my Love for him. Because he shows me what Love is, I can Love others and myself.
I hope this helps dissolve any confusion.
God’s Peace n Love