Week 7 - Divided Devotion

The command to not love the world isn't about following rules or avoiding certain activities - it's about where our deepest devotion belongs. John uses the word agape, referring to covenantal love that shapes our identity and loyalty. The world represents a system of values that seeks meaning apart from God, manifesting through three temptations: lust of the flesh (craving satisfaction apart from God), lust of the eyes (living by appearances), and pride of life (seeking significance without God). We cannot love both God and the world because they demand the throne of our hearts. The cure for worldliness isn't withdrawal but developing deeper love for Jesus through His Word, prayer, and meditation on His sacrifice.