2/9/25, Nikolas Tsamoutalidis, 1 John 2:15-17
Guided Notes Below
Do Not Love The World – PART II
1st JOHN 2:15-17 English Standard Version (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 (epithymia) of the flesh (sarkos) and the desires (epithymia) of the eyes and pride (alazoneia) of life—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.
- “Desires” means cravings, lust, or passion. The etymology of the word in Greek (epithymia) is “to be hot after something.” In this context, lust is any sinful desire that is contrary to the will of God. And it creates a tunnel vision type of absorbed obsession.
- “Flesh” (Greek: Sarkos/Sarx) may sometimes refer to the whole person, but here it denotes the tendency and bent of humans to fulfill natural desires in a way that is contrary to God’s will. “Lust of the flesh” describes what it means to live life dominated by the senses.
- Alazoneia: the arrogant spirit of self-sufficiency. It expresses the desire for recognition, applause, status, and advantage in life. The phrase describes the pride in what life can offer you. This word in Greek translated “pride” describes the pretentious braggart. The idea behind the pride of life is someone who lives for superiority over others, mostly by impressing others through outward appearances – even if by deception.
- Paul instructs us in Romans 13:11-14 to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.” Calvin used this Pauline passage to define the lust of the flesh: “When worldly men, desiring to live softly and delicately, are intent only on their own convenience.” To sum it up, our flesh craves its own convenience.
In the book, Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing In Light of God’s Everything, a beautiful contrast is drawn between the things of the world and the things of the Father.
| Things of the World | Things of the Father |
| The focus is on me | The focus is on God |
| Make as much money as possible | Give money away and spend yourself on others |
| Live comfortably | Life is not about comfort, but doing hard things now so we can reap eternal rewards |
| Make a name for yourself | Make HIS name great |
| Do whatever makes you happiest | Do whatever makes God happiest |
| Teach your children to love themselves and seek self-fulfillment | Teach your children to love and obey God |
| Look like a model in a magazine and turn your physical appearance into an idol | Treat your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and cultivate an inner beauty |
| Offer “acts of service” when you feel like it | Be a servant, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient |
| Stay married as long as your spouse meets your needs | Serve your spouse (the way Christ modeled servanthood), & choose to love him/her for life |
| Come across as powerful, influential, and/or interesting | Give preference to others in words and actions |
| Use (worldly) wisdom to accrue wealth | Value true wisdom (which is the fear of God) over all the treasures of the earth |
| Stay up to date with the fashions | Be content just to have clothes |
| The things of the world are passing away | The things of the Father will abide forever |
| I do the will of the world | I do the will of the FATHER |
Scripture to combat the allure of worldliness:
COLOSSIANS 3:1-11
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is com ing. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Our GREATEST CONCERN/INTEREST should be the worship and love of God. Westminster Confession:
Question 1: “What is the chief end of man?” Answer 1: “ Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”