Love God. Don't Love This World System

The nugget verse for today takes us back to the question "What are the gods that get worshiped in our modern age?"

What is the "world" and the "things in the world" that we are called to "not love"? I've called it this world system.

Verse 16 of 1 John 2, has some clear answers. I will provide some examples which may fit into one or more of the three categories: the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes; and the pride of life.

1. The lust of the flesh
Examples for me are:
Elicit sexual gratification, sex addictions (including pornography), voyeurism and certain forms of love addictions.

2. The lust of the eyes
Examples for me are:
Elicit sexual gratification, sex addictions (including pornography) and voyeurism.
 
This category would also include the LOVE of physical wealth such as luxury homes, property and palaces, beautiful collections of art and design, cars, bikes and boats - things that captivate the eye and seduce the person into an addictive attachment to them.

3. The pride of life
Examples for me are:
The LOVE of money, wanting fame at all costs, desiring to be worshiped, desire for power over others (including territory and nations), egotism (thriving on ego-boosting), the worship of knowledge and the intellect - and envy (wanting what others have).

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

As mentioned before (and recently) the three big idols and gods worshiped in modern life are: the god of fame; the god of greed (wealth); and the god of power (and prestige). These have way-laid many a leader in every sector of life - including the church.

Are you possible at risk of slipping into idol worship, without this seeming evil and anti-God.

Let's be compassionate and acknowledge how human we are and so prone to the seduction of sin.

Get back to God!