MODULE 17: THE NEW TESTAMENT WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR HUMAN ENEMIES BY EVANGELIST OGHOGHOR IKPONMWOSA (PHD)

In the previous module we began to look at scripture where Apostle John re-echoed what Jesus said about love. We shall look at more scriptures in this module.

1 John 2:15-17

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.

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.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.KJV

In this scripture Apostle John is inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us a warning not to love the world and the things that are in it. In other words we are not to fall in love with the world’s system or ways of doing things and the material things that constitute this world system.

If we love the world or the things in it then the love of the father is not in us. He said everything that is in the world is not of the father (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the father but of the world).

This sounds strange. Does the scripture not say that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who live in it? (Ex 9:29, Ps 24:1, 1Cor 10:26-28).

To answer this question, the first thing we must recognize is that Apostle John qualifies what He calls everything that is in the world. He called them the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. He was actually referring to how we respond to or our attitude to the things in the world.

In other words the good things God made available in the world which he gave to man to dominate (Ps 115:16, Gen 1:26-28) has become corrupted due to man’s fall at the Garden of Eden.

Man’s fall has made him vulnerable to easily pursue the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and things that gives him pride in life. It will take a man who has the love of God deeply rooted in his heart to escape falling into this mess.

Apostle John was simply re-echoing what Jesus had earlier taught us that we should not lay up our treasures here on earth but in heaven because where our treasure is that is where our hearts will be (Mark 6:19-21).
It will take the love of God deeply rooted in our hearts to say no to the things of this world and make the decision to follow God continually without looking back.

Even the gifts of the Spirit operating in our lives could become a distraction if we are not deeply rooted in the love of God. We can become carried away by what God is doing through us that we can begin to make merchandise of His gifts which He has graciously entrusted to us.

If we do not take heed to this warning not to love the world or the things that are in it, then we will fall cheaply into the wiles of the devil to derail us from following God with a true heart of love. This is why we can be used by God to do signs and wonder in His name but could be told at the end that He never knew us (Matthew 7:20-23, 2Thess 2:19).

There are so many things that are contesting for our hearts with the intention to steal our hearts away from God. These include: money, job, marriage, politics, sports, fashion, furniture, estates, power, knowledge, fame, music, adventure, sex, alcohol, drugs, etc.

All of these things and many others not listed here can result in us falling into the temptation of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Apostle John was very direct to tell us that they are not of the father but of the world. We must never forget this warning.

Many people can do anything to have what they desire here on earth but will never give attention to their eternal destination after death. People can do anything to become rich, famous, gain respect or have all kinds of pleasure but will never think about their relationship with God their creator.

Apostle John was very careful to remind us that the world will certainly pass away along with the lust in it but he that does the will of God will abide for ever. In other words the person who chooses to live his life by walking in the love of God will abide forever.

We shall look at other scriptures where Apostle John spoke about love in the next module.

To be continued…

EVANGELIST OGHOGHO IKPONMWOSA (PHD)
PRESIDENT: SAVE THE LOST GOSPEL EVANGEVANGELISTIC MINISTRY
EMAIL: oghoghoik@gmail.com

TEL: +2348060676748