1 John 2:15-17 ESV
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
It seems that we tend to get our perspective out of whack. We like to have things and the possibility of losing said things gets us in a tizzy. The US has been going through an economic roller-coaster lately, and it has gotten a few people worried. You could be one of them. But if you know Christ, you know He will take care of your needs (Phil 4:19). I think what is in danger is the “wants” in our lives. Verse 16 touches on that: “the desires of the eyes” or “lust of the eyes.” We want what we want and we want it now!!!
The last sentence of our scripture today tells us what is going to happen to all those “wants” we have – they will pass away. They do not have lasting value. What has a lasting value is seeking to do the will of God. So we are to stop putting so much stock in money and possessions, stop trying to satiate our bodies with the world, and stop surviving on a false self-importance (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) but love doing the will of God – to satisfy ourselves in Him (Col 3:2).
(Note: 1 John 5:16 in the ESV has the phrase “pride in possessions” which is one possible translation; but the Greek word used for “possessions” can also be more accurately translated “lifestyle.” A love for possessions is already covered with “desires of the eyes,” so within this context, I believe “the pride of life” is the more accurate translation.)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
It seems that we tend to get our perspective out of whack. We like to have things and the possibility of losing said things gets us in a tizzy. The US has been going through an economic roller-coaster lately, and it has gotten a few people worried. You could be one of them. But if you know Christ, you know He will take care of your needs (Phil 4:19). I think what is in danger is the “wants” in our lives. Verse 16 touches on that: “the desires of the eyes” or “lust of the eyes.” We want what we want and we want it now!!!
The last sentence of our scripture today tells us what is going to happen to all those “wants” we have – they will pass away. They do not have lasting value. What has a lasting value is seeking to do the will of God. So we are to stop putting so much stock in money and possessions, stop trying to satiate our bodies with the world, and stop surviving on a false self-importance (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) but love doing the will of God – to satisfy ourselves in Him (Col 3:2).
(Note: 1 John 5:16 in the ESV has the phrase “pride in possessions” which is one possible translation; but the Greek word used for “possessions” can also be more accurately translated “lifestyle.” A love for possessions is already covered with “desires of the eyes,” so within this context, I believe “the pride of life” is the more accurate translation.)
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