Sermon – 1st John 2 – Lust of the Eyes, Flesh; and Pride of Life

  • KJV … (15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • NLT  … (15) 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.  (16) 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.  (17) And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

  • Regardless of translation, we are told not to love the world or what it offers … that if we love the world, then that proves that God’s love is not in us or that we don’t have love for God … the world only offers sinful things … what the flesh wants … what looks good to us … and pride about what we have and what we have done … these sinful things are not from God … this world is passing away, along with those sinful things … but if we do the will of God, we will live forever.

  • In previous sermons and Bible studies, we have looked at “love,” and the different types and what that should compel us to do.  Here again is the Greek word “agape,” and to refresh our memories, this is the active love of God for His Son and His people; and the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even their enemies.

  • This “agape” love is to be active … not passive … not occasional … but living, breathing, all the time; and it is to be not only for God, also our fellow man.  We are not to love stuff more than God or other people.  And our love, service, commitment, etc. for God should be our #1 priority.

  • Matthew 10:37-39 (NLT) … (37) If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  (38) If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  (39) If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

  • Exodus 20:3 (NLT) … You must not have any other god but me.

  • Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT) … (4) But I have this complaint against you.  You don’t love me or each other as you did at first.  (5) Look how far you have fallen!  Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.  If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

  • If we love the world – or even, what it has to offer – then this passage tells us that the love of the Father is not in us.  Wow!  That should shock us!  (or maybe it shouldn’t, but the truth is there nonetheless). 

  • Can we love both God and anything else the same?  NO.  Can we serve God and anything else the same?  NO.  Can we be devoted to God and anything else the same?  NO.
  • 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.  You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

  • We are told that all the world has to offer is sinful … what the flesh wants … what the eyes want … pride of what we have.  The Greek words that many English versions translates as “lust” and “life” are “epithumia” and “bios” respectively.

  • “epithumia” means earnest desire … irregular or violent desire … impure desire … lust.

  • “bios” means life … means of living … sustenance … maintenance … substance … goods.

  • Many sins are committed by the flesh, eyes, and heart (perhaps where pride lives).  We see something we want, we sin to get it, and our pride either gloats about it or tries to cover it up.

  • In our Sunday evening Bible study, we recently looked at the David and Bathsheba saga; and these three things are clearly evident there.  David lusted about Bathsheba – a very attractive woman.  His eyes saw her, and his flesh wanted her.  After the adulteress acts were committed, David’s pride, to protect himself, committed more sin to try to cover up what had happened.

  • In Genesis 3, we can read about Adam and Eve’s fall.  I’m sure most, if not all of us, are familiar with the story.  The serpent causes doubt and tempts Eve into eating … she wouldn’t die, and the fruit looked good and she would gain knowledge … she would be like God – what a temptation!
    • Lust of the Flesh               The Tree Was Good For Food
    • Lust of the Eyes                Pleasing To the Eye
    • Pride of Life                       Desirable For Gaining Wisdom

  • The same three things were offered to Jesus, by the devil; but Jesus didn’t give in to temptation.
    • Lust of the Flesh               Turn Stones Into Bread
    • Lust of the Eyes                See All The Kingdoms (and be given them)
    • Pride of Life                       Save Life Spectacularly

  • Remember, once again, that anything that is evil / wicked / sinful is not from the Father. 

  • James 1:13-15 (NLT) … (13) Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.”  God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else.  (14) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  (15) These desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

  • Each of us have weaknesses … things we desire (or at least used to and those temptations can come back) … and the devil and his minions use those weaknesses against us … that is why certain temptations seem to always show up … be it things to look at … things to do with our body or what we put in our body … things to hold onto … things we want more than God Himself.
    • Lust of the Eyes                we see it and want it
    • Lust of the Flesh               normal bodily needs turned sinful
    • Pride of Life                       wanting stuff/fame/power more than God or wanting Him known
  • Each time we are tempted to sin, we need to remember that in that moment, we are choosing either to follow God or to reject Him, even momentarily.  If God has said not to do something, then we shouldn’t do it.  If God has said to do something, then we need to make sure we do that.

  • Sin, at many times, offers what seems like a quick fix or a short cut; but never holds its end of the bargain; and costs more in the long run …

  • Instead of working hard, living modestly, and saving … a person may get involved in selling things that are illegal … might steal … might lie on their timecard … the risks are being fired and/or jail.

  • Instead of waiting for marriage (for sexual relations) many people will “hook up” or “shack up” to avoid the wait … STD’s could come from this … an unwanted pregnancy could come from this – and sadly, so could an abortion … and if the relationship fails, then the person you may end marrying won’t be your “first” and you’ll just have more baggage … lust and pride enjoy it, but it is costly.

  • The passage ends by telling us the world – and it’s lusts – are passing away; and from our recent study of Revelation (on Wednesday nights) we know this.  The wicked will be done away with – both human and fallen angel.  They will be in Hell; and then Hell is placed into the Lake of Fire.

  • However, the non-wicked, those who haven’t been controlled by lust and pride will endure forever.  Wait, where do we read about the ‘non-wicked?’ … These are the ones that have done the will of God.  If someone is doing the will of God, then we know their life is focused on Him, His teaching, and they are following His commands to live a holy life, serve Him, and be a light in this dark world.

  • Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT – True Disciples) … (21) “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  (22) On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’  We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’  (23) But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.  Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

  • In closing … are you following God and His desires or are you allowing your sinful lusts and pride to control you? … who do you love more, God or this world (and its sinful offerings)? … who or what do you serve more, God or anything “sinful” or worldly? … our works/deed/fruit prove this!

  • Remember, to gain entry into Heaven, we have to actually do the Will of God.  We can’t just pay lip service.  Being a great pretender won’t do it.  Being a Pharisee won’t do it.  Being a hypocrite won’t do it.  Being legalistic won’t do it.  Even being a member of a church won’t do it.

  • We have to admit we are sinners and need a Savior … we must believe in Jesus, that He is the Messiah and this belief implies devotion … we must confess our sins and Jesus as Lord … we are to be baptized and endure through life being faithful to God and following His commands – being devoted to Him; and using what we’ve been given to grow and strengthen the Church.

  • Romans 12:2 (NLT) … Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.