TYPES AND SHADOWS | 02 | All That Is In The World
One subject that has left a lasting impression on me throughout my Christian walk is ‘the nature of sin’. Growing up in a Christian household and passing through different phases of life; my thoughts on the subject have evolved considerably.
From my childhood, I had been taught that obedience to God is the most vital thing in my Christian life. However, up until my mid-teens, my concept of obedience to God was limited to the ten commandments. I tried (and failed considerably) to live by them as best I could.
However, when I entered the University and began taking my first baby steps into adulthood, it became apparent to me that there were so many wrong things that exist in the world today that were not covered by the ten commandments.
For this article, I want to highlight a truth that consistently repeats itself in scripture and answers the question about the nature of sin as well as the nature of God.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves 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 forever. — 1 John 2:5–7 (King James Version)
A Love Battle
To properly understand the nature of sin and the nature of God, it is important to realise that it is a battle of love. This scripture makes it particularly clear that it is impossible to love God and love the world. Jesus himself during his time on earth gave us a direct connection between loving God and obeying Him.
“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. — John 14:15 (Amplified Bible)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. — John 14:23 (English Standard Version)
Some people tend to think that God is saying that we should not interact with the world around us. That somehow, God is opposed to us having good things or living comfortable lives. This is a false doctrine.
The focus of God has always been about what our hearts are invested in. The Bible says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The danger always comes when we place our value on anything in the world at the expense of God.
Summary of the World
On the surface, John’s description of ‘all’ that in the world is a strange one. Yet, it rings true when it is broken down and understood.
The Lust of the Flesh: Some versions call this the desires of the flesh. This covers all the things that our bodies crave. Some tend to limit this to sex/sexually related things. However, God holds us to a standard that is much higher than that.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself — 1 Corinthians 6:19 (New Living Translation)
Therefore, I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service. — Romans 12:1 (Berean Study Bible)
We interact with this world with our bodies and God wants to be in control of how we use them. What we eat, where we go, the actions that we take and the things that we do with our bodies matter to God. Jesus Himself set an example for us by being obedient to God with His body — even unto death on the cross.
The Lust of the Eyes: Some versions call this ‘the desires of the eyes’. This covers the things that we see and yearn to possess. Our eyes are delicate tools that can be used by both the devil and God. Through the eyes, envy, jealously, covetousness and greed are born. However, as a part of our bodies, God is very particular about what we see.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! — Matthew 6:22–23 (English Standard Version)
And He said to them, “Beware, and keep yourselves from all covetousness; for not to anyone is his life in the abundance of that which he possesses.” — Luke 12:15 (Berean Literal Bible)
The Pride of Life: This covers any form of superiority that is in our hearts as a result of an aspect of our lives that we place significant value on. For some, this has to do with their family background or their socio-economic class. For others, it lies in their educational achievements, the strength of personality or their careers. Irrespective of what it is, God does not want anything that we are or achieve on this earth to define or rule our hearts. God hates pride and only those who are humble can relate with Him.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. — Matthew 23:12 (New King James Version)
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6 (Berean Study Bible)
Is This Truly All of It?
It might seem a bit ludicrous to claim that every sin in existence finds its place in these three categories. But it is a plain truth that is consistent throughout the Bible. For the purpose of this article, I will highlight two events in scripture as proof of this.
The Garden of Eden
The story of man’s great fall in Genesis 3 is the first indication of this truth.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. — Genesis 3:6 (King James Version)
Notice how this verse is uniquely communicated.
‘…that the tree was good for food…’ — The Lust of the Flesh
‘…that it was pleasant to the eyes…’ — The Lust of the Eyes
‘…a tree to be desired to make one wise…’ — The Pride of Life
The Temptation of Jesus
The accounts of the temptation of Jesus by the devil in Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 also highlight this truth.
Let’s examine the three temptations carefully (referencing the account in Matthew).
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. — The Lust of the Flesh
His body wanted food at the time and the devil tested Him.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands, they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. — The Pride of Life
The devil tried to get Him to test God based on His identity as God’s son.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. — The Lust of the Eyes
The devil made him see the kingdoms of the world.
Focus on Loving God
The whole Bible consistently affirms the statement that John made. However, the purpose of this writing is not to simply satisfy intellectual curiosity or spark up conversations. It is to remind us of the importance of loving God our Father, through Jesus Christ the son by the help of the Holy Spirit.
This is the only way we can live for Him.
