It means not being devoted to the world's system—its economics, politics, pleasures, and all it offers—so that the love of the Father is not crowded out, while still enjoying good things in life without being controlled by them.
Les Feldick explains that the Greek word for 'world' is kosmos, referring to the world's whole system. The warning in 1 John 2:15 is against loving that system in a way that excludes God's love. This doesn't forbid enjoying good things like a nice home or amenities, but warns against letting the world's offerings take control of you.
1 John 2:15 — This verse directly commands not to love the world or its things, promising that love for the Father cannot coexist with love for the world.
1 John 2:15 (KJV) says, '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.' The next verse continues, '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.' This scripture identifies three specific areas of temptation that originate from the world, not from God. Furthermore, 1 John 2:17 (KJV) warns, 'And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.' This verse contrasts the temporary nature of the world with the eternal nature of doing God's will.
Les Feldick explains that the Greek word for 'world' is kosmos, which refers to the entire world system—its economics, politics, entertainment, pleasures, and both good and bad aspects. He clarifies that loving the world means having our priorities upside down, prioritizing the world's system over the Father. He emphasizes that this does not mean we cannot enjoy good things in life, like a nice home or amenities; the issue is not the things themselves but whether they control us. Les also notes that the world system will pass away, so it's foolish to gamble eternity for temporary pleasures. He uses the example of Eve at the forbidden tree to show how the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are universal temptations. He also draws a parallel to Christ's temptation in the wilderness, showing that Jesus faced and overcame these same temptations, thus understanding our struggles.
Les teaches that 'the world' in 1 John 2:15 refers to kosmos, the whole world system. This includes economics, politics, entertainment, pleasures, and all that it offers, both good and bad. It is not just the obviously sinful things but the entire structure that operates apart from God.
No. Les clarifies that having a nice home and using amenities is not wrong. The issue is not the things themselves but whether we let them take control. Just as money is not the root of evil, but the love of money is, so too the problem is loving the world's system.
Les, following 1 John 2:16, identifies three areas: the lust of the flesh (any appetite, like hunger), the lust of the eyes (things that look alluring), and the pride of life (arrogance). He shows these were present in Eve's temptation and also in Christ's temptations, making them universal.
Les explains that we are in the world but not of it. We cannot avoid contact with immoral people, but we are to be separate from the ungodly world system. He uses Revelation 18:4, 'Come out of her, my people,' to show the call to separate from the system of wealth and immorality.
Define the World as Kosmos
Les defines 'world' as kosmos, the whole system, and warns against loving it.
Three Areas of Temptation
Les explains the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life using Eve's example.
Priorities Upside Down
Les stresses that loving the world means our priorities are wrong.
World Passes Away
Les warns that the world is temporary, so don't gamble eternity for temporary pleasure.
Pride of Life
Les explains that pride is a major temptation that keeps people from salvation.
Universal Temptation
Les says everyone faces these temptations, and Christ knows our frame because He faced them.
Come Out of Her
Les calls believers to come out of the world's system of wealth and immorality.
In the World, Not Of It
Les explains we are in the world but must not be of it, avoiding its ungodly system.
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.
This is the key verse warning against loving the world's system.
1 John 2:16: 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.
This identifies the three areas of temptation that come from the world.
1 John 2:17: And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
This contrasts the temporary nature of the world with the eternal reward of doing God's will.
Revelation 18:4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Les uses this to call believers to separate from the world's ungodly system.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that enjoying a nice home or amenities is not wrong. The problem is when we are so devoted to the world's system that it takes control and excludes the love of the Father.
Les defines the world as kosmos, the whole world system, including economics, politics, entertainment, and pleasures. It is the system that operates apart from God.
They are the lust of the flesh (any appetite), the lust of the eyes (things that look alluring), and the pride of life (arrogance). Les teaches these are universal temptations.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus' Three Temptations — Why Satan's Attacks Still Matter Today