Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 John 2

Highlight Verse:

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of the first verses in the Bible that I ever memorized (though I usually forget the exact reference).

When I memorized it, I was a young man still learning the ins and outs of my faith.

Memorizing that verse helped guide my thoughts and desires as I sought to follow Jesus more closely.

To be clear, this verse is aimed at directing our attentions away from a worldly or sinful lifestyle.

It does not mean to not love the people of this world but to not pursue worldly desires.

We should always try to bring the love of Jesus to the people of the world.

For me as a young Christian, that meant avoiding alcohol as I likely have a genetic bent toward addiction. Additionally, it caused me to exercise caution in my dating relationships that I may avoid sexual temptations.

At my age, it applies more to not putting so much effort into pursuing wealth and earthly goods that my relationships with God and with others suffer.

The world brings different temptations to each believer. If our faith and trust in God comes first, we should be able to defeat all those temptations.

How does the world try to undermine your faith?
What are you doing to defeat those temptations?