The World

"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." - 1 John 2:15 KJV (James 4:4).

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 KJV

What is the world?

"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." - 1 John 2:16 KJV

These three things were what the devil tempted the woman with in the Garden.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." - Genesis 3:6 KJV

The woman saw that the tree was good for food – lust of the flesh, and that it was pleasant to the eyes – lust of the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise – the pride of life. Even though that was the only tree they were not to eat of…

It was Adam and Eve’s choice to sin that brought death and separation from God. (Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:23).

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15 KJV

It is the devil that is “he that is in the world.” He is “the god of this world.” He blinds the minds of those that believe not, knowing that through the gospel we can overcome the world and once again have communion with God and eternal life. By the gospel, we can have God in us.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

What is the gospel that the devil has blinded the minds of unbelievers to?

It is the good news (the great news!!!) that God robed Himself in flesh to dwell among humanity and die in our place for our sins, that He was buried, and that on the third day He rose again. (1Corinthians 15:1-4).

It is the good news (the great news!!!) that if a person will repent of their sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness) of their sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Jesus in them), they will be saved. (Matthew 16:24-26, Galatians 6:14, Romans 6:1-5, Acts 2:38).

The lusts of the flesh are temporary “pleasures.” Living for God overcoming the world has its rewards in this life and in eternal life. (Hebrews 11:24-26, John 10:10).

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17 KJV

When we are born of God by obeying the gospel (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-13, Acts 2:38), we have the power of God within us to overcome the world and anything the devil throws at us. (Acts 1:8).

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4 KJV