The Love of the World (Part 2)

1 John 2:15–17

This passage warns against falling in love with the things of this world. It helps us understand what being worldly really means, corrects some common misunderstandings about it, and gives us tips on how to avoid it. We’ll first talk about what it doesn’t mean, then explain what it does mean, and finally, how to avoid it.

1. What it’s not

When the Bible talks about the “world”, it can mean two things. Some people think it refers to the physical world around us and they try to stay away from it. But, this isn’t what Christianity teaches. The Bible also uses “world” to mean a mindset that believes only in this physical life, forgetting about God’s spiritual world and eternal life. Christianity teaches us that the world is good, but it’s not all there is.

2. What it is

Being worldly means being overly attached to physical pleasures, what we see, and being proud of what we have. This includes being too focused on beauty, food, rest, free time, stuff, and even sex. As Christians, we’re asked to care more about our relationship with God and doing meaningful work. Sex is seen not just as a physical act, but as a symbol of our deep connection with God. We’re also reminded to value who we are on the inside more than how we look, and to remember that pride can be harmful.

3. How to escape it

Being worldly is like looking for love in the wrong places, it’s like forgetting about God’s love for us. The best way to avoid this is to focus on God’s love, a love that becomes deeply personal when we become part of His family. Even just understanding a little bit of God’s love can help free us from the desire for worldly things, filling us instead with His eternal love.