The Godly Gazette (The Word for Thought)

The Word for Thought

1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) - For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. (17) - The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Worldliness is not limited to external things such as people, places, and things. It begins in the heart and is characterized by three things.

1. The cravings of sinful man - gratifying our physical desires.
2. The lust of the eyes - the love of mammon (money and stuff - materialism).
3. Boasting - obsession with status and importance.

In contrast to these worldly ways, God wants us to be self-controlled, generous, and humble. It is possible to appear as we are avoiding these worldly pleasures, but we may still be harbouring these attitudes in our heart.

What values are important to you? Do your actions reflect the worlds values or God's values?

It can sometimes be hard to believe that our desire for possessions and sinful pleasures will one day pass away, and that those who do the will of God will live forever. But God's Word is truth, and John gives us these passages based on the facts of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and promises.

Knowing that the world will end can give you the courage to deny yourself temporary pleasures in this world in order to enjoy what God has promised for eternity.

Who I am in Christ

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