14 December | Teens
«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.» 1 John 2: 15
In these verses from the Bible, we learn a very important lesson: we mustn't love the world in the wrong way. There are three things our enemy will use to make us love the things of this world more than the things of God. First, the desires of the flesh. This means wanting things that are good in themselves, but more than we should. For example, eating is good, but eating too much is gluttony, and that is a sin. Sleeping is wonderful, but sleeping too much is laziness, which is wrong.
Secondly, the desires of the eyes. Sometimes we see things on screens that are not pleasing to God, but to our sinful nature. This can make us love the world more than God. So be careful what you look at!
Finally, the pride of life. This means wanting to show others how “good” we are and what we have. On social media, some people show a perfect life, and this can make our followers feel dissatisfied with what they themselves have! We need to be careful about what we post and tell others about our lives, so as not to be haughty.
But the good news is that all this will one day pass. The things of the world will disappear, but what God offers us is eternal. My challenge to you is to love the things of God more than the things of the world!
Take Action
This week, reflect: what have I loved more, the things of God or the things of the world? Choose something that you realize has been taking you away from God and put it aside for a week. Use this time to focus more on God, whether it's praying, reading the Bible, or helping someone. Then evaluate the difference it makes to your connection with God.