S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The phrase "lust of the eyes" is found in 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tony Flores Supporter Tony Flores a servant of Jesus Christ

The term world does not always refer to the universe as created by God. It is used to describe the community of sinful humanity that possesses a spirit of rebellion against God (1 John 2:15). 1 John 5:19) Because of it's opposition to God, the world values this things which are contrary to God will: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). It's temptations to the believer are thus twofold: lust for the Sensual and pride in master of his own life.

The attraction of the world is amplified by Satan who is head of it's system. He is called the "prince of this world" John 12:31; 14:30 16:11), and the whole world is said to be under his power (1John 5:19, where "wickedness" can also be translated "wicked one").

Some if the tragic effects that love of the world will produce in the believer's life are:
1. A turning away from the Lord's work and other believers (2 Tim. 4:10).
2 Alienation from God (James 4:4).
3. Corruption sins (2 Pet. 1:4; 1John 2:15-17).
4. Deception by false teachers (1 John 4:; 2 John 7),

The solution to the love of the world is to have a greater love for the Father (1 John 2:15). The Christian who seeks daily to please God in everything and who strives for spiritual growth through prayer, study of God's Word, 
and witnessing need not fall prey to the temptations of the world (Mark 14:38). Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way, and the Life. If you do not know Him, then you don't know the Father whom sent Him so we could know Him.

March 30 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Croach Supporter

The lust of the eyes is doing or watching anything that is not pleasing to the Lord: watching a movie, commercial, reading a magazine, even looking at another person and wanting them. 

Our eyes can lead us down the path of desire and destruction.

July 19 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

"Desire" (this is how "lust of the eyes" is translated in the Net Bible, 1 John 2:16.) See this cross reference, too:

2 Peter 2:14; 1 John 2:16

Eyes are a channel of temptation

Matthew 4:8-9 pp Luke 4:5-7 See also Genesis 3:6; Numbers 15:39; Joshua 7:21; 2 Samuel 11:2; Psalm 119:37; Ecclesiastes 2:10; Ecclesiastes 6:9; Matthew 5:28-29; 1 John 2:16

Here is an outline of the book, from the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary with the passage in question emboldened:

Prologue: The Word of Life (1Jo 1:1-4)

1. God Is Light (1Jo 1:5-3:10))
Walk in the Light (1Jo 1:5-2:2))
God is Light (1Jo 1:5-7))
Resist sin (1Jo 1:8-2:2))
Obey the command to love (1Jo 2:3-11))
Know God and keep His commands (1Jo 2:3-6))
Learn the new command and love others (1Jo 2:7-11))
Know your spiritual status (1Jo 2:12-14))
Be warned of enemies of the faith (1Jo 2:15-27))
Beware of the world (1Jo 2:15-17))
Beware of the antichrists (1Jo 2:18-27))

Differentiate the 3 different lusts in 1 John 2:16--

Lust
The lust of the flesh: sensualism
The lust of the eyes: materialism
The pride of life: egotism
(Vernon Grounds)

The lust of the flesh: passion
The lust of the eyes: possessions
The pride of life: position
(S. Briscoe)

Source unknown

"because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world." -- 1 John 2:16 (NET BIBLE)

The expression "the lust of the eyes" is substantially synonymous with πλεονεξία, avaritia. On behalf of this interpretation (the subject is controversial) appeal is made principally to several passages of the O. T., and especially to Ecclesiastes 4:8; Ecclesiastes 5:10 --"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income", Proverbs 23:5 -- "When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven"; Proverbs 27:20.

Arrogance is produced by material possessions. The person who thinks he has enough wealth and property to protect himself and ensure his security has no need for God (or anything outside himself).

May 20 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Matthew 6:22: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 

One needs to be aware of the light of your body, which is through the eyes that you see; for at times the brightness which steers, through abundance in thine heart through your blood, which then leads your tongue to utter words. (LK 6:45/Jam 3:2) The words that come out of thy mouth that you speak, Satan, who then hears your voice, the words that you speak, you are then led to steer your blood by the moths and rust that corrupt, for the thieves then that break through and steal. The thieves that break through and steal are the evil spirits who then lead your whole body into darkness, leading your words through your mouth to speak of the treasures that you have stored in your heart. (Mat 6:19-21/12:34) One then having these uncleaned treasures stored in thy heart, one will not be aware of the master that they serve; either they will hate and despise one, and love and hold the other, for you cannot serve God and mammon. (Mat 6:24) One who then holds thy tongue shall then keep thine heart with all diligence, knowing for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro 4:23/21:23)

One, then, whose eye is single, for their body to be full of light, needs to be aware of the thieves who break through and steal. (Mat 6:19) When the unclean spirit is gone out of thee, they walketh through dry places, seeking rest and findeth none. Then saith they, "I will return to my house from whence I came out." When they come, they find it empty; one then not having the humbleness to discern, having their heart vacant, not filling their spiritual heart with God the Father; their body shall then be full of darkness. (Mat 6:23/12:43-44) The thieves then goeth and taketh with themselves seven other spirits more wicked than themselves, and they enter in and dwell there. For then, their last state of them shall then be worse than the first, which shall then lead also unto this wicked generation. (Mat 12:45) One then needs to attend and hearken to the Lord’s voice through His words, inclining thine ear unto His saying, and let it not depart from thine eyes, keeping them in the midst of thine heart. One then needs to keep thine heart with all diligence, holding thy tongue, for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro 4:20-21,23)

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee, and put a knife to thy throat, for thou shalt be one given to appetite. (Pr 23:1-2) Thou shalt then not labor to be rich, having thy mind one towards another, not of high things, but having condescended to men of low estate. (Rom 12:16) One given the appetite, therefore turn unto with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and with mourning, holding your tongue, praying in the right spirit. Therefore, rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of evil. (Joe 2:12-13) One having thy body full of light, whatsoever thing which is spoken to them entereth not into them, for then it cannot defile them. For it entereth not into their heart, but into the belly and goeth out in the draught, purging out all meats. (Mar 7:18-19) If thou love the world, the love of the Father shall not be unto thee, for all that love the world is through the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but of the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

Proverbs 16:23: The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

12 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report