THE DANGER OF LOVING THE WORLD AND THE THINGS OF THE WORLD

THE DANGER OF LOVING THE WORLD AND THE THINGS OF THE WORLD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
"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.
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.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Supporting Texts: James 4:4, Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:24, Colossians 3:2, Galatians 1:4

INTRODUCTION:
The world offers so many glittering things that appeal to our senses, promising joy, satisfaction, and fulfilment. But beneath the shine lies a subtle and dangerous trap — the snare of misplaced affection. Scripture warns us clearly that the love of the world is in direct opposition to the love of the Father. When we become overly attached to the world, our spiritual sensitivity begins to die slowly.

Today’s generation is constantly enticed by materialism, social status, and worldly pleasures. These things are not inherently sinful, but when they become the object of our love, they become idols that pull us away from God. Many believers are spiritually dry and distant from God because their hearts are entangled with worldly affections.

This sermon seeks to expose the dangers of loving the world and highlight the urgency of keeping our hearts aligned with God. We are in the world but not of the world. If we are to abide forever, our love must be for God, not the temporary pleasures this fading world offers.

1. LOVING THE WORLD EXCLUDES THE LOVE OF THE FATHER
When a believer chooses to love the world, it creates a spiritual separation from God.

a) God demands exclusive love
According to Matthew 6:24, no man can serve two masters. Loving the world makes us disloyal to God.

b) Divided love leads to spiritual compromise
Trying to balance both leads to lukewarmness, which God detests (Revelation 3:15-16).

c) Worldly love leads to spiritual blindness
When the world becomes our focus, we lose sight of God's will (2 Corinthians 4:4).

d) The heart cannot be in two places
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). A worldly treasure leads to a worldly heart.

Biblical Example: Demas, who forsook Paul because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10)

2. THE WORLD OFFERS TEMPORARY PLEASURES AND ETERNAL DANGERS
What the world gives is temporary and cannot sustain the soul.

a) The lust of the flesh is deceitful
Pleasures fade quickly, leaving people emptier than before (Hebrews 11:25).

b) The lust of the eyes is insatiable
The more you feed your eyes, the more they crave (Ecclesiastes 1:8).

c) The pride of life leads to downfall
Pride always goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

d) Eternal life is not found in the world
Only those who do the will of God abide forever (1 John 2:17).

Biblical Example: The rich fool who stored earthly wealth but lost his soul (Luke 12:16-21)

3. FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD
The more we associate with the world’s system, the more we oppose God's kingdom.

a) Worldly friendship invites spiritual adultery
James 4:4 calls those who love the world “adulterers and adulteresses.”

b) The world’s values contradict God’s word
The world promotes self, greed, and pride, while God promotes humility, love, and holiness.

c) The world hates those who love God
Jesus said the world will hate His followers (John 15:19).

d) Spiritual warfare is intensified by worldly love
Worldliness makes us vulnerable to satanic attacks (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Biblical Example: Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and was turned to salt (Genesis 19:26)

4. A HEAVENLY MINDED LIFE IS A VICTORIOUS LIFE
Victory over the world begins with a shift in our focus and affection.

a) Set your affection on things above
Colossians 3:2 commands us to focus on eternal values.

b) Be not conformed to this world
Transformation begins when we stop imitating the world (Romans 12:2).

c) Live as pilgrims and strangers on earth
This world is not our home (Hebrews 11:13).

d) Victory comes by faith, not worldliness
1 John 5:4 says our faith overcomes the world.

Biblical Example: Abraham, who lived in tents and looked for a city whose builder is God (Hebrews 11:9-10)

CONCLUSION:
The love of the world is a dangerous poison that gradually kills spiritual fervour. It is subtle, often disguised in harmless pleasures and ambitions. But when left unchecked, it becomes a stronghold that disconnects us from God. We must ask ourselves: where is our love truly anchored?

As believers, our eyes must be fixed on eternity. We must love God above all else and reject anything in the world that competes for our heart. Let us lay aside every weight and run the race with a heart filled with love for God alone.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.  Lord, deliver me from every secret love for the world.

2. Father, set my heart on fire with love for You alone.

3.  Lord, open my eyes to see the dangers of worldly enticement.

4.  I reject every distraction pulling me away from God’s will.

5.  Father, help me to set my affections on things above.

6.  Lord, cleanse me from every defilement of the flesh and spirit.

7.  Every stronghold of worldliness in my life, be broken now.

8.  I receive grace to live a victorious and separated life.

9.  Father, help me to be a true ambassador of Your kingdom.

10. Lord, let me finish my race without being entangled by the world.