“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
~1 John 2:15-17
The Second pathway John mentions is the lust of the eyes. These are lusts that are triggered by the sight, the seductive lure of things that look good but will kill you in the end. Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
This means we need to be careful about the things we look at with our eyes. The more you expose yourself to movies or TV shows that promote ungodliness the more you will find yourself thinking and meditating about sinful things, and the more you will be tempted to partake of those things. We must realize that TV is not evil in and of itself –the evil is in the human heart (Matthew 15:19). This is important for young people to understand. You must begin to train your conscience in your early years and not let it be dulled and seared over by entertaining the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. It was through the eyes that David fueled the lust that was in his heart and tempted him to commit adultery with Bathsheba. Every believer has this sin, which is rebellion, in their heart, and it is not eradicated until death. That is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). Do not try to reason with them or entertain them but run!
Now let me speak to parents. We complain about how corrupt things are, but what do we do about it? Do we practice what we preach to our kids, or do we watch shows that promote fornication, adultery, and every evil lust? What are the things you look at? What do they reveal about who you are and what you love? The Apostle John said, “love not the world!” The world glorifies fornication, pornography, and every evil lust. Profanity is normal in the world, and the world system harms us; it does not help us. Remember Lot? 2 Peter 2:7-8 says Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.” The unbeliever is a pawn in Satan’s hand that he uses against the church (2 Timothy 2:26). Satan uses the unrestrained lust in the unbeliever to attract the restrained, but still present, lust in the believer. But John said, “love not the world!” Every believer is called to resist the sinful desires and evil passions that are contrary to God’s Word. Instead of meditating upon sinful, ungodly thoughts, Philippians 4:8 speaks to every Christian, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.” Dear ones, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).
Friday Devotional: April 10, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
