Do not love anything in this world

Littlek

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.
 

timothyu

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So what does that imply?
The world of man is built in our image which is self serving, often seeking gain at the expense of others, and redefining good and evil to suit our purposes. Yet Jesus taught us to love all as self, so it is possible to live in this world as intended and according to God's will. Your phone is a tool for either way of living. Your choice.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.

Reading the whole thought helps.

1 John 2:15-16 King James Version (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."
 
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St_Worm2

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.
Hi Littlek, I think you are referring to 1 John 2:15. Verse 16 goes on to describe the kind of things that the Apostle is telling us to avoid. Here is the entire passage to consider.

1 John 2
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

--David
 
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OldWiseGuy

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.

Actually if someone 'just has to have' the latest smartphone they might have a problem.
 
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Littlek

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Actually if someone 'just has to have' the latest smartphone they might have a problem.
I agree...I think the best thing about my phone is I can keep an eye on storms (because I am afraid of them) talk to my family more often, and keep notes for groceries lol. I used to be in electronics years ago, but not anymore.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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I agree...I think the best thing about my phone is I can keep an eye on storms (because I am afraid of them) talk to my family more often, and keep notes for groceries lol. I used to be in electronics years ago, but not anymore.

I have an old fart's phone...with great big numbers.
 
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faroukfarouk

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.
Hi; I think to gain insights to your question it's good to read the Epistle in its entirety (it won't take long; only 5 chapters) and then also do word studies from Scripture about key words such as 'love', 'world', 'flesh' and 'devil'.

John almost ends Revelation with the heart cry: 'Even so, come Lord Jesus'. And then we can ask ourselves: Where are our hearts?
 
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Aussie Pete

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.
The world system is the bitter enemy of God. It is Satan's creation, formed with the cooperation (witting or not) of fallen man. Christians are in the world but not of the world.

We cannot reasonably escape the world without abdicating our responsibilities to preach the gospel and make disciples. However, our intent is to deliver people from worldliness and bring them into the fullness of Kingdom life.

Loving the world takes many as many forms as there are aspects of the world system. For example, there was a beloved TV show many years ago, a home grown "soapie". They made a movie which was shown on Sunday night. At least half the congregation stayed home to watch it.

Most of the time we can use the things of the world in a way that is not loving it. This forum is an obvious example. It's an appropriate use of the internet. It's when education or arts or entertainment hinders our walk with God that we should reevaluate our attitudes. If we are addicted to Facebook we need to check ourselves out. The evil things of the world are obvious. It's the "good" things that we need to watch.
 
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timewerx

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.

That's 1 John 2:15-17

Actually, those verses are pretty literal as it goes to the point of explaining the finer details of it:

- Lust of the eyes - what is pleasing to our worldly eyes - yes, things like cars, houses, gadgets, including leisure
- Lust of the flesh - food, sex, alcohol, drugs, etc
- Pride of life - worldly achievements, education, status, job/career, etc

Here's the more important thing about them:
- It's NOT bad to have some of these things as long as you don't love them
- Of course, if you don't love these things, you probably won't invest a lot of time, money, and effort in them.
 
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Ricky M

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.
John 12:25

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.


John 15:19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.


James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.


1 John 2:15

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.


1 Corinthians 4:11

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you."


Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Luke 6:20

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.


2 Corinthians 12:10

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Matthew 10:22

You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.


Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith


1 Thessalonians 3:7

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
 
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FutureAndAHope

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.

Back in the day they did not have computers, TV's, or phones. But God commended enjoying your life:

Ecc 2:24 There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

Also

Ecc 7:16-18 Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you? Be not evil overmuch, and be not foolish. Why come to your end before your time? It is good to take this in your hand and not to keep your hand from that; he who has the fear of God will be free of the two.

We are also commanded to not be overly righteous, but to take the middle ground. This verse refers to people who focus so much on "being spiritual", that they refuse the things of the natural.

Yet, we should still have a strong spiritual, but balanced focus. As Jesus told his disciples "pray that you enter not into temptation, for the spirit is willing but the flesh weak".

If we spend "all" of our time in entertainment we will become spiritually dull, and more likely to fall into sin. We need to have a balance where we regularly seek God, but don't give up what we enjoy. Be that decorating the house, being on the phone, watching a movie.

Neh 8:10-12 Then he said to them, Go away now, and take the fat for your food and the sweet for your drink, and send some to him for whom nothing is made ready: for this day is holy to our Lord: and let there be no grief in your hearts; for the joy of the Lord is your strong place. So the Levites made all the people quiet, saying, Be quiet, for the day is holy; and do not give way to grief. And all the people went away to take food and drink, and to send food to others, and to be glad, because the words which were said to them had been made clear.
 
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timewerx

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Ecc 2:24 There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

Practice caution whenever studying Solomon's books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. While Solomon is very wise, he ran after wealth, satisfied his lusts, and worst of all, went after the false gods of his many wives.

Solomon is nearly the opposite of Christ was.

Ecc 7:16-18 Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?

Which contradicts the teaching of Christ.... - "Be perfect for I am perfect"

Not every teaching of Solomon should be heeded. Remember the Bible is also like a history book. So that even bad people in the Bible gets their message across too... Most evil people in the Bible are tagged explicitly as evil. Some not so much... One of them is Solomon.

Ironically, Solomon having done one of the greatest acts of evil in the Bible should have been a give-away that he is an evil man. And then his 666 talents of precious metals. This guy is heavy!

When the Jews showed Jesus the 2nd temple which is still related to Solomon's first temple, Jesus wasn't impressed at all. The fact it was destroyed twice (1st and 2nd temple) it seems the Lord's hand is against it. The future 3rd temple would likewise be destroyed as well.

It takes a lot of discerment and wisdom to truly understand the teachings in the Bible. This is no surprise since the majority of Christians are completely oblivious to the supernatural benefits of knowing the truth.
 
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FutureAndAHope

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Practice caution whenever studying Solomon's books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. While Solomon is very wise, he ran after wealth, satisfied his lusts, and worst of all, went after the false gods of his many wives.

Solomon is nearly the opposite of Christ was.



Which contradicts the teaching of Christ.... - "Be perfect for I am perfect"

Not every teaching of Solomon should be heeded. Remember the Bible is also like a history book. So that even bad people in the Bible gets their message across too... Most evil people in the Bible are tagged explicitly as evil. Some not so much... One of them is Solomon.

Ironically, Solomon having done one of the greatest acts of evil in the Bible should have been a give-away that he is an evil man. And then his 666 talents of precious metals. This guy is heavy!

When the Jews showed Jesus the 2nd temple which is still related to Solomon's first temple, Jesus wasn't impressed at all. The fact it was destroyed twice (1st and 2nd temple) it seems the Lord's hand is against it. The future 3rd temple would likewise be destroyed as well.

It takes a lot of discerment and wisdom to truly understand the teachings in the Bible. This is no surprise since the majority of Christians are completely oblivious to the supernatural benefits of knowing the truth.

Rubbish. The apostles, and early church read those books, and said:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Jesus did not say "we must be perfectly righteous, with out sin, for God is perfectly righteous". No. See the scripture in its context.

Mat 5:44-48 But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner. For if you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? do not the tax-farmers the same? And if you say, Good day, to your brothers only, what do you do more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? Be then complete in righteousness, even as your Father in heaven is complete.

Jesus was saying to be perfectly forgiving as He is. To forgive even our enemies.
 
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timewerx

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2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

True, but ONLY IF we can correctly understand the scriptures without any biased thinking. Biased thinking is the "log in one's eyes". What blinds us from the truth.

Jesus did have favorites among His disciples and have one beloved disciple and also Mary. Because they stood out above the others and most importantly, they truly understood our Lord while the others didn't.

Jesus did not say "we must be perfectly righteous, with out sin, for God is perfectly righteous". No. See the scripture in its context.

At least we should recognize what these sins are and try not to commit them.

Sin is simply a "mistake". Missing the mark. Some sins pretty obvious, some not very much. Some of our actions may seem harmless or even seem good because everybody else is doing them but is actually causing harm to others and we're not even aware.
 
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longwait

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1 john...forgot the verse...but its do not love anything in the world or of the world.

So what does that imply? How technical? Does this mean the worldy ways of sin? Or literally everything? I have a cell phone...that's worldly...and I do like that I have information at my finger tips. I like to go to the movies..I like to decorate my home..(examples)

Am I taking this too literal? I mean when he says do not love ANYTHING in this world...kinda makes me feel this way.

Below verses are taken from the Acts of Peter (removed from the Bible). These were the words of Peter when he was crucified upside down.

XXXVIII. And when they had hanged him up after the manner he desired, he began again to say: Ye men unto whom it belongeth to hear, hearken to that which I shall declare unto you at this especial time as I hang here. Learn ye the mystery of all nature, and the beginning of all things, what it was. For the first man, whose race I bear in mine appearance (or, of the race of whom I bear the likeness), fell (was borne) head downwards, and showed forth a manner of birth such as was not heretofore: for it was dead, having no motion. He, then, being pulled down -who also cast his first state down upon the earth- established this whole disposition of all things, being hanged up an image of the creation wherein he made the things of the right hand into left hand and the left hand into right hand, and changed about all the marks of their nature, so that he thought those things that were not fair to be fair, and those that were in truth evil, to be good. Concerning which the Lord saith in a mystery: Unless ye make the things of the right hand as those of the left, and those of the left as those of the right, and those that are above as those below, and those that are behind as those that are before, ye shall not have knowedge of the kingdom.

This thought, therefore, have I declared unto you; and the figure wherein ye now see me hanging is the representation of that man that first came unto birth. Ye therefore, my beloved, and ye that hear me and that shall hear, ought to cease from your former error and return back again. For it is right to mount upon the cross of Christ, who is the word stretched out, the one and only, of whom the spirit saith: For what else is Christ, but the word, the sound of God? So that the word is the upright beam whereon I am crucified. And the sound is that which crosseth it, the nature of man. And the nail which holdeth the cross-tree unto the upright in the midst thereof is the conversion and repentance of man.
 
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timewerx

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Actually if someone 'just has to have' the latest smartphone they might have a problem.

Some of the more geeky ones would get the latest for the slightly better specs - something you can 100% live without. Which is still wrong.

Some would justify that "wasteful" habit because their spending helps these companies stay in business and give people jobs.

Which is probably true.....But the habit is also contrary to the Lord's ways. And our Lord is telling us to invest in the poor, NOT in the rich.
 
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