We are not to love the world. Now we need to be careful about what John means here, which is essentially loving the world system. The way that God works and the way the world system works are completely different. The world system is man-centered, not God centered. If we are to be fully human we need to be God centered.
Now saying this will cause atheists and humanists to react, but the truth is that Satan has duped humanity into an enormous con-trick. He says that by ditching God and deciding for ourselves we become free. The reality is that by doing this we become slaves and lose freedom. When we give God His proper place in our lives we actually gain more freedom, more ability.
John then names the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life as three key principles of the world system.
Man without God is driven by natural desires. This includes what we might think of as sinful desires such as sexual lust. It is interesting and saddening when listening to debates in the media on sexual morals, that the very concept of exercising self-control seems so utterly unreasonable and unacceptable to many people and so-called experts. Conversely, part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. If we want true freedom then we need to follow Christ.
The lust of the flesh also includes things that we might not immediately think of as sinful. It includes anything where are are driven or led by natural desires.
The lust of the eyes is a life driven by what we see. Notice how much of today's culture is celebrity driven and driven by appearances. It is so superficial, and only destroys and demeans lives. It also applies to politics. There is such an emphasis on PR aspects of politics, and little on the substance of issues.
The pride of life includes thinking that we are totally self-sufficient. This again is futile. As John says the world and its desires will pass away. It is only the one who does the will of God who will live forever.
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