As Christians we are called to be in the world, but we are not to be caught up in the way of the world. Jesus did not pray that His disciples would be delivered from the world, but for their protection:

I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. (John 17:15)

In a later epistle, John warned us of the types of dangers that we may encounter in the world:

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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

This is a present tense verb exhorting us to stop exhibiting affection for the world system. This passage does not refer to the earth or its people since God loved the world and sent His Son to save us. John is referring to the world system with its corresponding pleasures, covetousness, and pride that is antithetical to God.

As we consider John’s admonition, we may reflect back on the temptations that Eve faced in the garden of Eden and the temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness. These are many of the same types of temptations that we may encounter.

The word lust as used in the Scriptures is a neutral term denoting the presence of a strong desire that may be good or bad depending upon the context. The lust of the flesh is an insatiable appetite to indulge in pleasures that gratify our flesh, but do not ultimately satisfy. Augustine reminded us that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.

The lust of the eyes represents a continual desire for more. What will make a greedy man satisfied – just a little bit more. Lot was able to get his wife out Sodom, but he couldn’t get Sodom out of his wife. She took one last look at Sodom and tragically turned into a pillar of salt. That’s why Jesus warned us:

Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:32)

Finally, we must beware of the pride of life. Pride occurs when we think more highly of ourselves than we should. Pride not only shuts off God’s grace, but it brings about our destruction:

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16:18)

William Ralph Inge warned us, “Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next.” We must realize that all earthly things are like salt water, they make us thirsty for more, but they can never truly satisfy.

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark