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“Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.” (1 John 2:15 MSG)

From birth we are each developing a view of the world that is shaped by our birthplace, culture, family, schooling, friendship, influence and media. This worldview may not necessarily be wrong or bad but it can develop a false or distorted view of reality that leads us to believe that our deepest need from creation (to be accepted, have significance and security) can be found in the world rather than in a relationship with the One who created us. 1 John 2:15-17 warns against this, listing worldly activity such as the cravings of this world, the lust of our eyes and the boasting about what we have and do, which are opposed to God and hugely damaging to ourselves and others. We need to “take off” this distorted worldview and instead see things as they really are through the lens who is Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (NIV) When we do this, we will find that in Jesus we are accepted, we are significant and we are secure – no other opinion really matters. 1 John 2:17 says, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever.” (NIV) Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and the truth of His Word, reading, believing and applying these truths to our life for His glory.