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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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1 John 2:16
Comments
John identifies the three distinct evils found in the world. It has been said that the chief temptations of the world have always been presented to us under three corresponding aspects: pleasures, riches, and honour. The lusts of the flesh are the corrupt desires of the flesh, meaning here, the body and all that belongs to it. Desires that were originally created as good have been inflamed beyond all proper bounds by sin. The lusts of the flesh are those excessive cravings produced by sin for the gratification of bodily appetites.The lust of the eyes is covetousness. It is the desire to obtain what we do not already have, and it comes through the gateway of the eye or the mind’s eye. It is the roving of the imagination for every kind of sinful possibility.John does not speak simply of pride but of the pride of life, which is the building of a life designed to obtain the praise of men and all the boasting associated with this goal. It leads to the fear of man which is a snare, obstructs faith, and opposes the fear of God. Let the churches also be careful not to admire gifted people too much, for pride will follow.
Application
The battlefield on which we must face our enemy is our own hearts. Satan cannot force us to sin but must persuade us to do his will. The fiercest fight we face is not visible to others.
Questions
Why does John state the obvious and tell us that these evils are not of the Father, but of the world? Because he wants to remind us that every time we fall prey to one of these evils, we have let the world back into our hearts and turned away from the Father.
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