“Do not LOVE [agapaō] THE WORLD or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. For all that is in the world—the LUST of the flesh, the LUST of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life—IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God ABIDES FOREVER.” (1 John 2:15-17) agapaō: living out a divine, self-sacrificial love, illustrated by God’s offering of His Son. Agapaō love is living a godly love intended for godly things. So, loving worldly things with agapaō love would be idolatry. For God said, “You shall have NO OTHER gods before Me.” (Exod. 20:3)
The problem with loving worldly things with agapaō love is that it results in the sins of lust and pride. Lust is a strong, powerful desire, for something we are not permitted to have. Pride is a state of mind or, more essentially, a condition of the heart in which a person has replaced the rule of God over his life with the rule of HIS OWN WILL. “God resists [stands against] the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Jam. 4:6)
HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP…(James 4:10)
-Bill Stockham