TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
“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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
1 John 2:15 (ESV)
DON’T SETTLE FOR THE WORLD
A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how he would perform, he took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had caught the scent of a deer that had crossed the bear’s path. A few moments later he halted again, this time smelling a racoon that had crossed the path of the deer. Then a turkey, a rabbit, and so on, until finally the breathless hunter caught up with his dog, only to find him barking triumphantly down the hole of a field mouse.
There are times in life we find ourselves barking down the wrong hole. 1 John teaches that the things of the world can be a distraction and lead us away from the things of God. The Bible uses the expression “world” to describe the anti-God mentality of the human race, the worldwide fondness for sin and self which causes people to neglect God and/or rebel against God. It is not “worldly” to follow a career in politics, to get married, to have children, or to be involved in earning a living. Most often the love of the world can be recognized by things that push out our love for God.
Reflection
Many of our desires are based in legitimate God given needs. However, when we try to satisfy those needs in ungodly ways, we are being worldly. John says, “Do not love the world.” Is there anything in your life you think John would tell you not to love that you are in love with? Ask God to remove anyone or anything in your life and the life of your friends and family that is pulling you away from loving God.
