*THURSDAY, AUGUST 20TH 2026*
TOPIC: *DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD*
BIBLE PASSAGE: *1 JOHN 2:15-23*
*KEY VERSE:*
_*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.*_ – 1 John 2:15.
Having dealt with the believers vertical and horizontal love relationship with God and man respectively, Apostle Paul turns our attention to a critical _”no go area”*_ of love. He declares _*“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Fatherfd] is not in them.”*_This is a call to prioritize eternal values over temporary pleasures. The world offers fleeting satisfaction, but true fulfillment is found in a relationship with God. By setting our hearts on things above, we align ourselves with His eternal purposes. The worldly systems are in enmity with God and worldliness threatens our fellowship with God. The «world” here is not just the global earth or humanity (c/f John 3:16), but rather it is the community of sinful humanity that is united in rebellion against God.
The allures of this rebellious worldly system is captured in three categories, _*”the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”*_ (v.16). Whatever we can describe as the _*”things of the world”*_ will find a safe categorization within these three components. A good example is in advertising commercials that are often packaged to appeal to our sensuous nature leading to sin. The unbridled desire for wealth and fame have led many youths into money rituals, ‘419 schemes/’yahoo-yahoo boys, kidnapping, armed robbery, sexual perversions like LGBTQ+, etc. Are you sure you don’t love the world when you can skip fellowship to watch a football match; when your eyes are glued 24 hours on social media; and yet when you spend three hours in a church service you get irritated?
_z”Remember Lots wife”*_ (Lk. 17:32) who placed her affection upon the things of the world as her heart never left Sodom (Gen. 19:17,26) and she turned into a pillar of salt. This paints a picture of one who has come to Christ, but his heart is in the world. Again, the Israelites perished the wilderness because they lusted after the things of the world (Num. 11:1-6). Though they left Egypt, Egypt never left them. Is that your experience? Repent.
The spirit of the antichrist is the spirit of this age and any professed believer who love the world and its sinful pleasures and distort the gospel and the message of the cross, place themselves under this rebellion of Satan against Christ and His righteousness (v.18-23)
*ACTION:*
_Can you honestly say you don’t love the world? Correct yourself now._
*PRAYER:*
_*O Lord, deliver me from the love of the world. Teach me to love you more than anything in the world, in Jesus name.*_Good morning have a blessed day
