DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The apostle John is called, "the apostle of love," and rightly 
      so.
      1. In the brief epistle of 1 John, he uses the word "love" 26
         times.
      2. He enjoins upon us the responsibility to love - to love God,
         to love one another.
   B. However, in this lesson I want to use for our text 1 John      
      2:15-17 where John admonishes us to "love not."
      1. The obligation imposed upon us to love in one direction,
         involves the corresponding responsibility to not love in an
         opposite direction.

I. IT IS THE WORLD THAT WE ARE NOT TO LOVE.
   A. All love or affection for the world is expressly condemned.
      1. We want to understand fully what it is that we are not to
         love.
      2. We know that in human languages, a single word may have
         several different meanings. This is true of the word        
         "world."
   B. There are three fundamental ways this word is used in the      
      Bible.
      1. "World" is used of the material universe which includes the
         earth and everything God created.  Acts 17:24; Rom. 1:20
         a. We know this is not the "world" of which out text speaks
            "is not of the Father" (vs. 16) and such cannot be said  
            of the material universe.
         b. There is nothing immoral or inconsistent with the
            religion of Christ in loving and appreciating the natural
            works of God.
            (1) However, one can go to an extreme and began to
                worship "Mother Nature."
      2. The word "world" is used of mankind.
         a. John 1:10 - When it says the world knew Him not, it is
            speaking of mankind.
         b. It is used the same way in John 1:29 and John 3:16.
            (1) If this were the "world" intended by John we would
                be forbidden to love that which God loves.
      3. The word "world" is used also to mean "sin" or
         "unrighteousness."  It means that which is in alienation and
         opposition to God.
         a. "World" is used in this manner in Gal. 6:14.  Paul was
            crucified to the world of sin.
         b. The word "world" was used in James 1:27 also.  One is
            to keep himself unspotted from the world of sin.
         c. This is the "world" spoken of in our text when it says,
            "love not the world."
            (1) John goes on to say, "If anyone loves the world
                (this world of sin and unrighteousness), the love of
                the Father is not in him."  1 John 2:16.
            (2) If anyone becomes a friend of this world, he
                becomes the enemy of God.  James 4:4

II. ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD.  (The world of sin is expressed in
    three forms.)
   A. The world is expressed in the lust of the flesh.
      1. The word "lust" is used in the Bible as "desire, craving,
         longing." Thus, it means "desire" of any kind.
         a. It is used three times of good desire.  Phil. 1:23; Luke
            22:15; Matt. 13:17
            (1) All other times it is used of evil desire, and is
                translated as "lust."
         b. We know that "lust of the flesh" in our text in not
            referring to the natural desire of the body for food.
         c. By "lust of the flesh" we understand the apostle to mean
            "inordinate or unlawful desire for fleshly indulgences.
      2. The "lust" referred to here is the same as that mentioned in
         James 1:13-15.
         a. When one is tempted, he must wrestle with his own
            conscience in relation to the will of God as to what he
            will do.
            (1) The thought or the temptation is not wrong until it
                is conceived or until one makes a decision to
                satisfy or fulfill his desire.
            (2) Once it is conceived it bears sin, and sin when it is
                full-grown brings forth death.
            (3) We can illustrate this with the sin of stealing.
                (a) Two men see some money. One says in his
                    heart, "That doesn't belong to me and I will
                    not take it," while another says, "I will steal
                    it."
                (b) The one didn't sin; the other did, although
                    the opportunity might never avail itself.
                (c) This shows what is involved in lust being
                    conceived.
      3. Walking in the Spirit keeps one from fulfilling evil fleshly
         desires.  Gal. 5:16
         a. Jesus taught a lesson regarding seven evil spirits who
            returned to possess a person.  Matt. 12:43-45
         b. Jesus' words emphasize the need of suppling good in
            the place of the bad.
   B. The next thing John listed was the "lust of the eyes."
      1. This refers to those evil desires which have their origin in
         sight such as adultery, covetousness, envy, etc.
         a. Peter described the wicked as, "having eyes full of
            adultery, and that cannot cease from sin."  2 Pet. 2:14
         b. Consider Jesus' words in Matt. 5:27-28.
            (1) Again, this can be illustrated by two different
                reactions.
                (a) One man sees a woman and is tempted, but
                    he controls his thoughts and brings his mind
                    in subjection to the will of God.
                (b) The other is tempted, doesn't control his
                    thoughts, and lusts after her in his mind.
            (2) In our society, the opportunity is made readily
                available; e.g., the commercials on TV, things on
                the Internet, etc.
                (a) The warning against "the lust of the eyes" is
                    a very timely warning for this day and age.
                (b) Movies, television, publications, and the
                    Internet are loaded with things God never        
                    intended his creatures to see.
   C. Thirdly, John listed the pride of life.
      1. The word "pride" in this verse is an unusual one and is used
         only twice in the N.T., here and in James 4:16.
         a. It is defined as, "vain or empty glory that one takes
            upon himself, and boasts about it; thus, empty
            boastfulness, or vain arrogance."  (From Vine and
            Thayer).
         b. James 4:16 - "But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all
            such rejoicing is evil." (KJV). "But now you boast in
            your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." (NKJV)
         c. Thus, they were rejoicing in their vain glory. They were
            seeking honor and praise (that in reality was empty), and
            when they obtained it, they were rejoicing in it.
         d. It has to do with the desire for prestige, popularity,
            notoriety, and fame.
      2. This is another of the strong avenues that leads to sin.
         a. It keeps people from obeying the gospel.  John 5:44
         b. Members of the church certainly are not exempt from
            it.

III. ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD.
   A. John listed three things as "all that is in the world."
      1. Thus, through these three avenues (the lust of the flesh,   
         the lust of the eyes, and the vain glory of life) are the   
         means through which man is tempted.
      2. Through these three avenues Eve was tempted.  Gen. 3:6
         a. "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for
            food (the lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the
            eyes (the lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make
            one wise (the vain-glory of life), she took of its fruit 
            and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he   
            ate."
      3. Through these same avenues, Jesus was tempted.  Luke 4:1-
         13
         a. To change stones into bread was a temptation of the
            flesh at this time. Vs. 1-4
         b. To see all kingdoms of the world and to have them was
            a temptation to fulfill the lust of the eyes.  Vs. 5-7
         c. Bidding the Lord to exercise His power as a divine
            person was an appeal to His pride.
         d. Jesus went through all avenues of enticement; yet, was
            without sin.  Heb. 4:15
   B. Through these same avenues man is tempted today.
      1. Through these, sin is glamorized, made attractive and
         enticing.
      2. Many in this generation are falling in the same manner as in
         the past.
         a. The writings of the O.T. sound as though the prophets
            were talking to the generation of our time.  Jer. 5:7-9;
            6:13-15a
            (1) If our grandmothers in their younger days had to
                wear some of the clothing on the market today
                they would have blushed.
            (2) If they were forced to participate in some of the
                dances and some of the wickedness that goes on
                today, they would be ashamed.
            (3) However, our generation of people do not blush,
                and are not ashamed of their wickedness.
         b. Notice the next verses in Jeremiah.  Jer. 6:5b-16a
            (1) Let us walk in the old ways of righteousness and
                truth.
   C. Notice the last verse of our text in John.  1 John 2:17
      1. So they that love the world will lose everything.
         a. They will lose everything that they have loved, for the
            world and all that is in it will pass a way.  2 Pet. 3:10
         b. Those who love the world will lose their souls in
            everlasting destruction.
         c. However, those who love God, and keep His
            commandments, will abide forever.

Concl.
   A. What shall it be for us?
      1. Shall we love the eternal Father, do His will, and abide    
         with Him forever; or, shall we love that which is evil, and 
         will ultimately be destroyed?
      2. Shall we set our hearts on Him who will cause us to abide
         forever; or, shall our hearts on something which will bring
         everlasting punishment?
      3. Shall we love God, do His will, and abide with Him; or,     
         shall we love the world, follow its enticements, and perish 
         with it?
   B. What will your answer be?
   C. If you are in any way subject to the call of Christ, we bid you
      answer that call now.