Good morning. Today we're going to look at first John chapter 2, 15 and 16. 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. Remember that lust means very strong desire. In fact the NIV translates the first one as cravings. What's interesting is that all three words - love - in verse 15 is the Greek word agape. Too many Christians today love the world system and/or the things in the world. Instead of centering their agape on the Father and His word they center their agape on the world or the things of the world. If they centered it on Him then the things of the world would not attract them. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life began in the garden of Eden. Eve saw that the tree was good for food – that's the lust of the flesh – that it was a delight to the eyes – that's the lust of the eyes – and that the tree was desirable to make one wise – that's the boastful pride of life. It also happened to Jesus in the wilderness. Tell the stone to become bread – lust of the flesh ( Jesus was hungry); see the kingdoms of the world – lust of the eyes; if You are the Son of God throw Yourself down - God will keep You - boastful pride of life. Of course for Christians it's usually more subtle than that. It starts out small – a little compromise here, a little compromise there. We become addicted to the things of the world. And like all addictions a little is no longer enough. We need more and more; until they become our God. If we walk in God's light, the temptations of the world will not attract us. Father help us to keep our eyes on You and not on the world. Then the things of the world will not be attractive to us. Sometimes they are not bad things; but they are not the best things.

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