Stop Loving the World by William Greenhill
1 John 2:15 gives a prohibition to those who love God not to love the World. Are Christians often tempted to an inordinate love to the World? Absolutely! The three great adversaries of believers are the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Fallen man has a natural disposition to love this world. The remnants of this abide with believers, throughout this life, but the grace of God enables "Lover's of God" to overcome this enemy of their souls. Why is this prohibition given? Is it possible for believers to love God and the world? It is not! They are contrary Lords and they compete for the heart of man. God's Word does not say you should not serve two Masters, it asserts that you cannot. Only one can command your heart. Which of these commands your heart——Christ or the World?
Unbelievers are duped into believing that this world can satisfy them, that it can make them truly happy. The truth is, "happy is that people whose God is the Lord." How can I discern if I love the world too much? "What a person loves, their thoughts are much upon." What we think about and desire most is a revealer of what we truly love. The blessed man, according to our dear brother David, is the one who meditates on the Law of God day and night. Are your thoughts and longings crowded by the pleasures, profits, and honors of this fallen world? Or is your heart set upon the things above, the world to come, the truth of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords? John Owen gives this spiritual counsel in his work "Mortification of Sin"-—"How do we protect our affections from sin's deception? . . . set your affections upon heavenly things (Colossians 3:2), which enables you to mortify sin. Let them enjoy the first place in your heart . . ." What occupies your thought life——spiritual and eternal realities, or worldly things? "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him . . ." 1 Corinthians 2:14a.
There are many reasons why we should guard our hearts from loving The World. Here are a few:
1. Believers should not love the world, ". . . because they are called out of the world and destined for another." Are you looking, as our father Abraham did, for a city whose Builder and Maker is God? 2. To love the World is to make an idol of it. Paul tells us that covetousness is idolatry. 3. It is dangerous to love the world. An inordinate love of the world will cause your love for God to grow cold. 4. "It makes God our enemy." To those who are reconciled to God, He is their refuge and strength. The apostle James gives this sober warning: "Know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" "It is better to have the entire world as our enemy than for God to be against us. 5. "It is hostile to godliness." Do you desire to be more godly? Then don't love the World! Growth in grace and usefulness in advancing the Kingdom of God are hindered by worldliness.
If you struggle with "Loving The World," this work by William Greenhill will be a spiritual oasis for your thirsty soul.