Loving God, Not the World 1 John 2:15-16
Introduction
Today, we’re going to look at a passage from 1 John that challenges us in a powerful way. This message is titled “Loving God, Not the World” because it reminds us that our love and devotion must be set on God and not on the things of this world. The Apostle John calls us to examine our hearts and be careful about what holds our affections.
Our key text today is 1 John 2:15-16 (NLT), which says: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”
These words may seem challenging, but they hold a key truth. John is not telling us to hate the people of the world; he’s telling us not to let the world’s values—its desires, pride, and focus on the temporary—fill our hearts.
Let’s break down this passage, understanding how we can love God more than the world and find our satisfaction in Him alone.
1. The Call to Resist Worldly Attachments
John writes, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you…” The word “world” here comes from the Greek word kosmos, which refers to the world system opposed to God, including its values and pursuits. John warns against the trap of being attached to the things that stand in opposition to God’s character and ways.
The world tries to allure us with temporary things, and when we fall into loving these things, we distance ourselves from the love of the Father. We start to seek fulfilment in what can never truly satisfy our souls.
Think of it like drinking salt water when you’re thirsty. At first, it seems refreshing, but the more you drink, the thirstier you become. The things of the world promise satisfaction but end up leaving us feeling empty.
James 4:4 (NLT) says, “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” James echoes John’s call to resist friendship with the world. Our loyalty cannot be divided; we must choose either to seek God or be swayed by worldly pursuits.
As C.S. Lewis once said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Our hearts are designed for a deeper, eternal satisfaction that only God can give.
Ask yourself: what holds my deepest affections? Are my hopes and dreams rooted in things that will pass away, or are they rooted in God’s eternal promises? Today, we are called to resist loving things that will fade away and to pursue the lasting joy found in God.
2. The Dangers of Physical Cravings and Desires
John highlights the “craving for physical pleasure” as one of the world’s traps. In Greek, the word used here for “craving” is epithymia, which denotes an intense, often uncontrollable desire. These cravings may not always seem harmful; they can be as simple as comfort or pleasure. However, when they take control, they steer us away from God.
The world is designed to constantly tempt us to satisfy these cravings outside of God’s will. But indulging in these desires without boundaries leads to bondage, not freedom.
Galatians 5:16 (NLT) advises us, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Paul reminds us that yielding to the Spirit frees us from being controlled by our desires.
Consider a fire: when it’s contained in a fireplace, it brings warmth and comfort, but when it’s out of control, it becomes dangerous. In the same way, our desires are good when aligned with God’s purposes but destructive when out of control.
Author John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” When we find satisfaction in God alone, we experience true joy rather than the fleeting pleasures the world offers.
Let’s examine our cravings and ask if they’re helping or hindering our walk with God. Are we using our desires to honour God, or are they drawing us away from Him? Yielding our desires to God’s control is the path to true peace and freedom.
3. The Trap of “Pride in Achievements and Possessions”
John also warns against pride in what we have and do. In Greek, the word for “pride” is alazoneia, which implies boasting or a sense of superiority. The world teaches us to measure our worth by our achievements, wealth, and status. But this pride blinds us to our dependence on God.
Pride often tells us, “Look what I’ve accomplished!” But as followers of Jesus, we understand that everything we have and are is by God’s grace.
Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Pride may feel satisfying at the moment, but it ultimately leads to downfall because it separates us from dependence on God.
Imagine climbing a tall mountain only to reach the top and realise the view isn’t satisfying at all. That’s what happens when we pursue achievement for the sake of pride; it never brings true joy.
Pastor Rick Warren says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” True fulfilment comes when we place our lives in God’s hands and seek to serve others rather than pridefully chasing our own success.
Let’s ask ourselves if we’re pursuing our achievements for God’s glory or our own. God calls us to use our talents and resources for His kingdom, not our pride. By giving our achievements to God, we experience joy that far surpasses any fleeting sense of pride.
4. Seeking the Father’s Love Over Worldly Desires
In the end, John tells us that loving the world is incompatible with the love of the Father. When our hearts are filled with worldly desires, there’s little room left for God. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 6:24 (NLT): “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”
Our hearts cannot be divided. The more we focus on God’s love, the less appeal the world has for us. When we love God fully, we find a joy and peace that nothing else can provide.
Consider a sponge soaked in water. Once it’s full, nothing else can enter. In the same way, when our hearts are full of God’s love, there’s no room left for worldly desires.
Francis Chan once said, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” The world’s values are temporary, but God’s love is eternal.
Let’s pray that God would fill our hearts with His love, crowding out any desire for the things of this world. When our hearts are focused on Him, we’ll experience His peace, joy, and fulfilment.
Conclusion: Choosing to Love God Over the World
Friends, John’s words call us to a choice: love the world or love God. The world is full of distractions and false promises, but God’s love offers something far greater: a relationship that satisfies the deepest needs of our souls.
Call to Action:
Today, I urge you to examine where your affections lie. Are there desires or attachments that are taking the place of God in your heart? Choose today to surrender those things and place God in His rightful place.
Invitation to Faith:
If you’ve never experienced the love of the Father, I invite you to put your faith in Jesus. His love is greater than anything this world can offer. He invites you into a relationship with Him, offering peace, forgiveness, and eternal life. Place your trust in Him today, and experience the joy of knowing and loving God.
