2:151 John 2:15

The verse commands against loving the world and the things in it, declaring that love for the world proves the Father's love is absent from the heart.2T 196.1+2 Love for the world shuts out and leaves no room for the Father's love, so there is no neutral middle ground and no serving two masters.1T 498.1–499.1+4 All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, seen in setting the heart on riches and gain, rank and display, and selfish pleasure and self-pleasing.ST Sep 10, 1912+4 God's people must therefore come out and be separate from the world in spirit, customs and friendship, giving entire unreserved surrender as disciples.1T 284.2–286.2+4 Victory comes by withdrawing affection from earthly treasures and setting it on Christ and heaven, dying to self and overcoming through the gospel until worldly love is broken.Ms 83, 1901, par. 14–15+4

The command is not to love the world nor the things that are in it, and if anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.2T 196.1+4 Love for the world and its things is incompatible with having the Father's love dwelling within, for the desires and pride found in the world do not come from the Father but from the world itself.2T 196.1+3 The world and its desires and lust pass away, while the one who does God's will abides forever.2T 196.1+3 What a person loves shapes what that person becomes, so that love for God leads toward God while love for worldly things leads toward what is earthly. God's grace accompanies those who go out to warn the cities, and Christ's righteousness provides cleansing from all iniquity.RH Jul 20, 1905

Love for the world leaves no room in the heart for the Father's love, shutting it out and crowding it out where worldly things hold the affections.1T 498.1–499.1+4 Such love separates the person from God, making seekers of pleasure in worldly things strangers to the Father and the graces of His Spirit, whose way of life dishonors God.1T 498.1–499.1+2 It stands as the sign distinguishing the children of God from the children of the wicked one, requiring Christ's followers step by step in the heavenward way to cut away selfish indulgence and self-pleasing spending on show and needless things.Lt 34, 1898, par. 22–23+1 What is now wasted must be carefully treasured and wisely used to bring happiness to many hearts and to support laborers where truth has never been lifted, so that through Christ the Redeemer believers secure heavenly treasure, life measuring with the life of God, and a place in the city whose Builder and Maker is God.Lt 34, 1898, par. 22–23 Putting world-love away prepares for the great work of warning cities, going forth accompanied by the grace of God with success by heaven's power, Christ's righteousness going before and the glory of God as rearward, because provision has been made for every emergency by taking hold of Christ's righteousness to be cleansed from all iniquity.Ms 56, 1905, par. 28–29 Worldly attachment clouds the mind and dulls the ability to recognize truth and sacred things, and a person cannot both serve the world and love God, for trying to do so is double-mindedness that leaves the person losing both worlds, with the remedy to turn from worldly pollution and purify the heart through obedience to truth.1T 530.3

There is no neutral position and no middle class who neither love God nor serve the enemy of righteousness, and there is no serving two masters.ST Mar 17, 1909+2 He who does not give himself wholly to God is under the control of another power, and half and half service places a person on the side of the enemy as an ally of darkness, proving enmity to Christ and betrayal of sacred trust.ST Mar 17, 1909 Even a life that otherwise appears virtuous, honorable, and noble violates the command when one sin is fostered and one vice indulged, making talent, sympathy, and kindly deeds into decoys that entice other struggling souls into sin.ST Mar 17, 1909 Love for God and love for the world cannot exist together, and linking people to the world keeps them from being united to Jesus Christ, so separation from the world cannot be too complete and serving God faithfully cannot be too thorough.Lt 9, 1861, par. 16+2 No one can be a Christian and at the same time live in conformity to the world, but all who will enter the gates of the city of God must live the life of Christ instead of the life of the world, with eternal life beginning in this world by having Christ's life in the heart and conduct in accordance with the divine similitude.Lt 39, 1903, par. 20 When people refuse Christ and choose their own way, clinging to human traditions instead of hiding God's law in their hearts, sinful indulgence expels love for God and love for the principles of His holy law, and love for the world then fills the heart and prompts disobedience unless God's law remodels selfish, avaricious dispositions after God's character.ST May 7, 1902 Christ met Satan's temptation to love the world in its fullest power and overcame on behalf of humanity, guarding people with warnings not to lay up treasures on earth where they corrupt and are stolen but to lay up treasures in heaven, because where treasure is the heart will be also.3T 477.3–478.1 If interest in and love for this world predominate, the highest interests become subordinate to worldly considerations, the things most worthy of attention are not appreciated, and God does not hold the exalted place in affections and devotions that the things of the world hold, with Satan seeking victory especially on appetite and the love of worldly riches and honor.3T 477.3–478.1

The warning is addressed to all, fathers, young men, and little children, believers and unbelievers, and must be heeded by making Christ the daily personal Saviour with lifelong, persevering effort proportionate to the value of eternal life.Lt 118, 1897, par. 43–44+1 Little children are those whose sins are forgiven for His name's sake and who have known the Father, fathers are those who have known Him that is from the beginning, and young men are those who have overcome the wicked one.Ms 25, 1911, par. 23 Youth and strength do not excuse anyone from this responsibility, for young men are strong and have overcome the wicked one when the word of God lives in them, and their ardent affections should be directed toward Christ and heaven rather than the world.1T 498.1–499.1+1 The verse calls young men to recognize their high destiny, to weigh their path, to begin life with high and holy purpose, and to resolve by divine grace never to leave the path of right, since starting in a wrong direction brings peril and wandering from truth, safety, and success.RH Apr 3, 1913 It requires strengthened intellect and quickened moral energy by divine power, whole giving of even ordinary ability to God, freedom from vice and impurity, sober-mindedness, and use of the highest powers, including literary ability, in trusted labor for God in fields ready for harvest.RH Apr 3, 1913 The second chapter of First John is to be read, studied, and lived in these last days in order to walk in the knowledge of the truth, to partake of the divine nature, and to walk in the light as God is in the light, having fellowship one with another through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ by confession of sin.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+1 This calls for singleness of purpose because the time to work is short, for the wisdom that comes from Christ, for not crowding the mind with such a variety of things that true understanding of what Jesus teaches is lost, and for walking humbly with God in genuine experience whose value is greater than recognized.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6 Beautiful theories are not enough unless the love of Christ is in the heart, for leaving the first love and loving the world is losing all things, and repentance and doing the first works are required, in harmony with speaking the truth in love and growing up into Christ the Head with the body edified in love.Ms 148, 1903, par. 12–18

The world means the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, also described as craving of the flesh, craving of the eyes, and pride of life, which are not from the Father and pass away with the world.Ms 50, 1886, par. 7–10+2 Love for earthly things must not take the place of love and trust in God, for anything earthly that is desired and trusted for help and good, that divides the affections, takes away supreme love for God, and prevents unlimited confidence and entire trust in Him, becomes an idol in the heart and in the soul temple.8MR 78.1–79.1+1 Pictures and photographs are not idols simply because they are pictures, but they and other treasured things become idols when people worship them or love them in place of God, exalting them above Him and filling the place in the heart that Jesus should occupy.8MR 78.1–79.1+1 Devotion to accumulating wealth can bind the heart to earthly concerns, neglect religious duties, and blind a person to the value of spiritual and eternal things.ST Dec 1, 1887 The world cannot provide lasting refuge or help in need, for its good things soon pass away and bring hopelessness to those turning from light, while looking to God and trusting in Him brings peace, safety, and rescue.SG4 218.2 Following worldly fashions belongs to attachment to earthly things, but the way of the cross leads upward, requiring believers to leave earthly things behind and resist being swept along with the world, which is rushing downward to death.SG4 225.3–4

All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not from the Father but from the world.ST Sep 10, 1912+4 Love for the world and its things is forbidden because it is incompatible with the Father's love, shutting that love out of the heart so that one who chooses earthly treasure and riches over obedience does not have it in him.ST Sep 10, 1912+4 That warning is explained as a measure of character, for no one can live to please self and have God's approval, and conformity is prevented by feeding on God's Word and letting its principles shape the whole life.Ms 37, 1896, par. 6–7+1 Anything earthly that is desired and trusted for help and good, that divides the affections and takes away supreme love for God and prevents unlimited confidence and entire trust in Him, becomes an idol in the soul temple.Ms 50, 1886, par. 7–10+1 Pictures, photographs, and treasured things are such idols when they draw affection away from God, are worshiped in place of God and exalted above Him, and fill the place in the heart that Jesus should occupy, for love of these things is covetousness, which is idolatry.Ms 50, 1886, par. 7–10+1 The call is to be heard together with loving one's brother and abiding in the light with no occasion of stumbling rather than hating one's brother and remaining in darkness, cultivating love for heavenly things by beholding Jesus until His likeness is reflected in cheerful, grateful praise instead of resisting light and walking as blind men who do not know at what they stumble.Lt 2, 1894, par. 14–15+1 It was spoken separately to little children whose sins are forgiven for His name's sake and who have known the Father, to fathers who have known Him that is from the beginning, and to young men who have overcome the wicked one, with the added certainty that the world and its lust pass away while he that does the will of God abides forever.Ms 50, 1886, par. 7–10+1

To love the world is to set the heart on earthly gain, riches, property, money, and treasure, making them first and seeking life and happiness in the abundance of acquired goods.1T 198.1–2+4 It is serving mammon rather than God and being unfaithful with earthly possessions entrusted for use in God's cause, shown in a burning desire to acquire property in lands or money and in a life spent pursuing even small worldly advantages and accumulating property that trains a person in ways conflicting with Christian character and failing to represent Christ.1T 198.1–2+2 Devotion to worldly business and gain draws the affections away from God and the truth, and worldly lust including desire for earthly gain with the lust of the flesh and eyes and pride of life can control even professed Christians who expect Christ's soon return, leading some to trade eternal life for unholy gain.4T 47.2+2 Making wealth one's object of worship is idolatry even without graven images, and selfishness, fellowship with evil, and pleasure in unrighteousness reveal the same attachment.Ms 194, 1898, par. 13–15+1 Putting the world first discards God's Word and enthrones the god of this world as the object worshiped, while loving God supremely means loving Him above earthly things and loving one's neighbor as oneself, even knowing poverty and suffering for the truth's sake because the world loves not the truth and refuses to live by every word proceeding from the mouth of God.Ms 194, 1898, par. 13–15

Loving the world includes rank, position, honor, power, display, pride, fashions, dress, and outward appearance.RH Nov 26, 1861+4 It includes enslavement to fashions and worldly friendship from which God's people must renounce and remain separate, for pride, display, and seeking the world's favor draw the heart away from God so that a person cannot keep God's love while clinging to them but must choose between Christ and the world.RH Nov 26, 1861+1 It means refusing to place the affections upon the good things of this world, especially rank and position, money, and earthly treasures, for Satan does not demand open worship but works more guardedly than in the wilderness temptation where he lost his case as a conquered foe, simply engaging mind and affections with earthly things until heavenly attractions are eclipsed, and securing that love gains for him all that he asked of Christ.3T 480.1 Love of dress and appearance turns mind and affections toward frivolous things and away from goodness, humility, devotion, and growth in Christian character, and God's church must be more separate from the world in dress, fleeing pride of appearance and love of self.2T 393.1+1 Loving the world in dress works directly against the Spirit of God, walking in darkness and placing oneself on the enemy's battlefield.Lt 19, 1861, par. 5+1 It is trusting and loving money and wealth more than the living God and seeking after worldly things as worthy to be admired and enjoyed, including the fashions of the world, the desire of the eye, love of self, and vainglory, and those who seek them are not lovers of the cross of Christ and not spiritual worshipers, with all such love as idolatry obstructing piety and separating the soul from God.Ms 50, 1886, par. 4 These hindrances cannot be overcome one by one like picking leaves off a tree that only grow back; they must be destroyed at the root by Bible truth, the message God has given.Ms 50, 1886, par. 4

Loving the world includes worldly pleasures, amusements, entertainments, ease, appetite, and sensual indulgence, including excess in eating, drinking, and stimulants such as coffee and tea.COL 55.2+4 The world's enticements including cares, riches, and pleasures are used to draw people away from God and leave no room for love of the Father.COL 55.2+1 It includes selfishness, love of ease, and gratification of appetite and passion, so that profession of faith and knowledge of the truth do not make a person Christian if religion is used to gratify the senses or permit harmful self-indulgence, for such religion follows the spirit of the world and those who imitate worldly customs and pleasures form a virtual union with God's enemies.SLP 169.3 A true follower denies self and lives soberly, humbly, and holily rather than sharing the empty pleasures and conversation of those who love the world.STB 841.1 Being of the world means remaining joined to its pollutions rather than keeping separate from them, expressed through indulgence of appetite and sinful desires where ordinary activities such as eating, drinking, marrying, planting, and building are not sins in themselves but become corrupting when pursued to excess, and living for the present world instead of the future life leaves people unready for the consequences of their deeds.ST Jan 3, 1878 Choosing the world's evil ways and pleasure-loving amusements weakens love for what is pure and holy and draws the heart into love of the world with less room for love of the Father, damaging character, bringing truth into disrepute, and wasting time that should not be spent on trivial pleasures.Lt 2, 1893, par. 15 Attachment to worldly pleasures can become stronger than care for a healthy body, a sound mind, and a sanctified heart, applied to coffee and tea whose stimulating, intoxicating effect can become a worldly lust that a person prizes above health and higher moral powers.HTL3 26.1

Loving the world is selfish, self-pleasing living for self, consulting own wishes, pleasure and convenience, narrowing and dwarfing the mind to own interests, with no disinterested benevolence or sympathy for others' woes.3T 522.1+4 Those who have this spirit to a great extent do not have the Father's love in them even while professing connection with Christ's service, and weighed in the balances of the sanctuary they are found wanting, barren and unfruitful because not truly nourished by Christ the living vine.3T 522.1 Overcoming requires entire transformation and thorough conversion giving a correct sense of defects of character, producing pure and undefiled religion whose simplicity feels sympathy for others and does the life-work Christ has given all to do for others' good.3T 522.1 It is serving the world and making it one's god with no love for the Father left, gratifying self and neglecting God's word instead of showing Christlike love for one another, and loving earthly things with selfish living without regard for the principles Christ set forth in His life.1T 150.3–4+1 Strength and spirituality are proved by a distinct line of separation from the world through God's grace and love and Christ's self-sacrificing spirit shown heartily and not by halves in every branch of work.STA 163.1 Loving not the world means not seeking self-aggrandizement or showing respect of persons, not living in luxury and self-indulgence while sufferers are around, not sanctioning by practice any oppression or injustice to the least child of humanity, relinquishing all selfish delights and unholy passions and love of applause, being willing to be humble and unknown and even to sacrifice life for Christ, and condemning the world's folly, impenitence, idolatry, and iniquitous practices by a well-ordered life and godly conversation.STA 163.1 That love makes the world first and everything else secondary, makes family influence wrong in both directions, leaves faith indistinct, and refuses the help God sends by which the fallen nature could be subdued, whereas cooperating with that help would produce wholehearted, effectual service employing all God-given powers diligently and conscientiously in the Creator's service, but love of the world gives strange fire instead and God will accept nothing but consecrated service.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 21 Such love shows a heart of the world with little true experience of religion, encrusted in selfishness and self-love and self-esteem whose cold dark walls shut out illuminating light from heaven and blind the eyes to selfishness, and continuing in it causes failure of heaven, making this world all the heaven one will ever have, exerting a blinding overpowering influence that sways a husband, ties his hands, and holds him from being fortified by grace to stand for the right with moral courage.3T 535.1–536.1 Loving the things of the world rather than God is evidence of misplaced love and loyalty, which Satan uses through people's selfishness and preference for their own interests over God's service to accuse them of being no better than he is and therefore deserving exclusion from God's favor.PK 588.3

Even things in themselves lawful and harmless become love of the world when given excessive devotion, carried to excess, or perverted and misapplied.19MR 245.3+1 Giving matters of minor importance the strength of intellect that should be wholly devoted to God is forbidden, for that which rightly used is lawful must be guarded against excess because when perverted and misapplied it becomes sinful and demoralizing.19MR 245.3+1 By that excess thousands upon thousands of souls are ruined and lost.19MR 245.3+1

The verse requires coming out from the world and living separate from it in love and affection, with no interests diverted from God to worldly things.1T 284.2–286.2+2 It forbids conformity to the world in spirit, principle, customs, habits, and opinions, and calls for a plain and distinct line of demarcation between the church and the world that is discerned by men and angels.1T 284.2–286.2+3 This means entire surrender and consecration with all the heart, mind, soul and strength, governed by higher laws than lovers of the world, with purposes and pursuits controlled by unselfish principles as sons and daughters of the heavenly King.RH Apr 19, 1870+1 It means a self-denying, self-sacrificing life with no selfish indulgence, self-aggrandizement, pride, vanity or selfishness, refusing enslavement to Satan who rules those who reject Christ.Ms 26, 1891, par. 10–14+1 Believers are to keep the heavenly world in view through the cross of Calvary, with mind drawn from the earthly to the heavenly, affections set on things above where Christ sits, living in the world but not of it as pilgrims and strangers seeking a better, heavenly country, and by that distinct influence drawing others along.Ms 26, 1891, par. 10–14+1

Christ met Satan's temptation to love the world in its fullest power and overcame on behalf of humanity, and He knows man's danger of yielding to it.3T 477.2+1 No one can be His follower while placing affection on the things of the world, for love for the world excludes the love of God and no one can serve both God and the world as two masters.3T 477.2+1 Satan seeks victory especially on appetite and the love of worldly riches and honor, so the safeguard is not to lay up treasures on earth where they corrupt and are stolen but to lay up treasures in heaven, because where treasure is the heart will be also.3T 477.3–478.1 If interest in and love for this world predominate, the highest interests become subordinate to worldly considerations, the things most worthy of attention are not appreciated, and God does not hold the exalted place in affections and devotions that the things of the world hold.3T 477.3–478.1

Friendship with the world is enmity with God, and love for the world and earthly things is incompatible with belonging to God as a disciple of Christ.Ms 150, 1898, par. 16+3 Following Christ requires entire, unreserved surrender to God and turning away from attachment to the world, including its customs and opinions, giving self wholly to God; otherwise a person cannot be Christ's disciple.ST Oct 21, 1908+2 A true follower denies self and lives soberly, humbly and holily, rather than sharing the empty pleasures and conversation of those who love the world, for worldly attachment misuses God's gifts, weakens the soul, and turns affections from God.ST Jan 27, 1876+1 This requires progressive conquest over evils inside the self, keeping the body in subjection with higher powers ruling lower passions, practicing self-denial and lifting the cross against every passion that strives for victory, guarding and conquering evils in the spirit.Ms 150, 1898, par. 16 Natural and cultivated tendencies must be overcome or they strengthen into habit while wrong influences gain ascendancy, and no one passes through the heavenly gates except as a conqueror welcomed within.Ms 150, 1898, par. 16

Separation may require standing alone and separating in feeling and affection even from friends and father, mother, brother and sister when they will not yield to the claims of truth, which is the cross of self-denial and sacrifice the disciple must bear.RH Apr 19, 1870 Nothing truly good is taken away by such sacrifice, for in place of the love of the world God gives His fatherhood, receiving those who comply as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, heirs of an incorruptible immortal inheritance reserved in heaven, fitted for the society of heavenly angels in the kingdom of glory.RH Apr 19, 1870 The command is true exaltation, ennobling, elevating, refining and sanctifying all who obey it.RH Apr 19, 1870 Followers of Christ must separate themselves from sinners and decisively shun the company of those who exert an influence to draw them away from God, choosing their society only when there is opportunity to do them good, and must shun temptation so far as possible, for Satan uses association with the ungodly and uniting in their amusements to allure into sin just as associating with idolaters and joining their festivities led ancient Israel to transgress and bring judgment.PP 458.2

Separation is a test of loyalty to Jesus, and those who join in political gatherings show they are not faithful servants of Christ.Lt 24a, 1896, par. 7–8 Catching the world's spirit is dangerous, and popularity gained by following worldly methods can bring into God's work a spirit His word does not sanction.LLWP 8.6 Love for the world and its customs can control professedly holy churches and lead them to compromise God's commandments rather than give up worldly friendship, while pride, luxury, riches and popularity are worldly treasures, not evidence of God's favor, and prosperity and worldly honor can deceive people into feeling spiritually secure.ST Aug 9, 1883 Love of the world robs men of discernment and makes defenders of the faith its secret enemies, leading those long standing on truth to take a noncommittal position, to obliterate the marks of distinction between those who keep the law of Jehovah and those who count it of no importance, to unite with men who do not recognize God's law and seek their influence and support, and to favor union of church and state.20MR 28.5–29.3 In trying to break down the barrier between him that serves God and him that serves Him not they slip to the side of unbelievers where their feet find no solid ground, covering selfishness with heavenly robes and fostering deceptive covetousness in business with fraud, robbery and falsehood while professedly keeping God's law, until absorption in business enterprises produces worldliness that eats out religious life and contaminates thought and principle, requiring decided reformation and continual guard with unflinching resistance to evil.20MR 28.5–29.3 Professing Christians are not to conform to the world in order to gain influence with worldly people.LLWP 8.6+1

Love of the world permitted to enter takes possession of the heart and rules it, with one passion after another and one project after another swaying it until the Holy Spirit is expelled from the soul.Lt 22, 1894, par. 3–5+3 Giving the mind to devotion to earthly pursuits and making God and heaven secondary quenches spiritual life, proves the love of God is not abiding in the heart, leaves no room for the love of the Father, and is a calamity for both time and eternity.Lt 22, 1894, par. 3–5+3 Where this love rules practical truth is not desired and God cannot preside in the heart, and it is the great reason the church lacks efficiency and power, for the Lord cannot manifest Himself to those who love the world because spiritual things are spiritually discerned.ST Jan 20, 1898+1 The world lies under its prince, the father of lies, who has taken possession of many lines of business and manipulates matters after his own attributes, so that even those who suppose they are serving God become infatuated and deluded to speak lies and practice deception against conscience striving in vain to be heard.Lt 22, 1894, par. 3–5+1 The greatest riches the world can bestow leave a person wretched, hopeless and miserable in God's estimation, and it is far better to bear the cross, disappointment, shattered earthly prospects, neglect of friends and disapproval of the world than to sit with princes and lose heaven, for as rational creatures men must place a right estimate upon eternal things and keep eternity in reckoning.Lt 22, 1894, par. 3–5+2 Human beings are probationers fitting for eternity, and in giving Jesus God has given all heaven, so that receiving Him gives moral power to overcome all evil and makes one a partaker of the divine nature, eating the Bread of life and drinking the water of life to have strength as co-workers with God, and to be as Christ was, in the world but not of the world.ST Jan 20, 1898+1

Loving earthly things supremely in place of love and trust in God is idolatry, for anything that draws the affections away from God or prevents complete trust in Him becomes an idol in the heart, and all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not from the Father but from the world.8MR 78.1–79.1+1 Supreme love belongs to God alone as required by the first four commandments, so no one can live a selfish life grasping for worldly treasures and at the same time enjoy the love of Jesus, and no one can love and serve mammon and love and serve God supremely.Lt 31, 1891, par. 50–51+1 Loving parents, children, wife, husband, houses, lands, friends, property or any other earthly treasure selfishly or with inordinate affection puts them in the place in the heart where God should be and diverts mind, time and service from Him, while making wealth the object of worship is idolatry even without graven images.Ms 19, 1894, par. 15–17+1 Loving the world is trusting and loving money and wealth more than the living God and seeking worldly things as worthy to be admired and enjoyed, including money, business, property, fame, honor, covetousness, lust, the fashions of the world, the desire of the eye, love of self and vainglory, and those who cherish and seek them are idolaters, not lovers of the cross of Christ and not spiritual worshipers.Ms 50, 1886, par. 4+1 Such love obstructs piety and separates the soul from God, and those who profess to believe in and love Jesus while loving the world misrepresent Him, advocate God's law while transgressing its precepts, bury pure, refined, ennobling love under love of earthly things, and suffer the fearful loss of first love.Ms 19, 1894, par. 15–17+1 Pictures are not idols merely because they are pictures, but they become idols if worshiped or loved in place of God, for the world and its desires pass away while the one who does God's will abides forever.8MR 78.1–79.1 These hindrances cannot be overcome one by one like picking leaves off a tree only to have them grow back, but must be destroyed at the root by Bible truth, and when its sanctifying power brings cherished sins to an end a higher attraction breaks worldly love's hold so Jesus can occupy the heart.Ms 50, 1886, par. 4+1

Worldly attachment blinds professing believers to light and to truths that involve a cross and would separate them from the world, leading them to refuse the sacred claims of God's law, to misread plain Scripture to defend their views and conduct, and to say they cannot see.RH Apr 29, 1902 Loving the world and its things lets the world's spirit corrupt character until the divine disappears and the satanic takes its place, driving out the divine, making one serve evil and become an instrument of unrighteousness.ST Mar 22, 1883+1 Worldliness removes the practical distinction between believers and those who disregard God, for those who mingle with the world may encourage its pride, pleasure-seeking and indifference to God, while judgment becomes distorted so that sins God abhors appear harmless.5T 430.3 No one is safe who professes to serve Christ while in reality serving the world, giving the heart to idols such as worldly gain, worldly honor and sensual pleasure, serving and worshiping self and petting and excusing the passions of the human heart.Ms 10, 1899, par. 4 Those who love the world do not know Christ by experimental knowledge, do not walk in His statutes and do not desire knowledge from the Most High, but their unsanctified spirit works unrighteousness with hardness of heart, impenitence, depravity and enmity, endangering purity of faith, fulfilling the condition marked out in prophecy, and explaining why God does not reveal Himself in power.Ms 10, 1899, par. 4 Love for the world and its customs can control professedly holy churches and lead them to compromise God's commandments rather than give up worldly friendship, for pride, luxury, riches and popularity are worldly treasures and not evidence of God's favor, and prosperity and worldly honor can deceive people into feeling spiritually secure.ST Aug 9, 1883 In contrast, a clear conscience, honesty and willingness to help others even at personal cost and without increasing wealth are worth more to God than riches, laying up incorruptible treasure in heaven, and God values freedom from avarice and a quiet, meek, humble, unavaricious character more than earthly riches.ST Mar 22, 1883+1

Satan does not demand open worship but works more guardedly than he did in the wilderness temptation with Christ, where he lost his case as a conquered foe, seeking simply to engage the mind and affections with earthly things, especially rank and position, money and earthly treasures, and when he succeeds heavenly attractions are eclipsed.3T 480.1 He works to make the world very attractive in order to gain the affections, and through love of riches and worldly honor he exerts a bewitching power even over the professed Christian world.3T 478.3 Those who will make any sacrifice to gain riches lose love for God and love for precious truth and interest in its advancement in proportion to their success, and the more they are prospered in securing riches the poorer they feel because they have no more, acting like insane men while the less they will invest in the cause of God.3T 478.3 Securing that love of the world from a person gains for him all that he asked of Christ.3T 480.1 Love of the world is a temptation and snare, especially to the young, and union with the world weakens faith, for shows, lectures and an endless variety of entertainments lead to that love.STB 838.1–2 Satan constantly prepares inducements through worldlings to keep up continual excitement and draw minds away from the solemn work of preparation for scenes just in the future, and as a persevering, artful deceiver he takes advantage of every incautious word to nourish evil seed until it roots and harvests, laying finely woven nets that appear innocent to entangle the young and unwary.STB 838.1–2 The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification, and he manufactures an abundance of worldly amusement to fill the mind with desire for it so there is no time for the question, How is it with my soul.STB 838.1–2 He insinuates himself through various temptations to bring in this love and overthrow faith, crowding out love of the truth and true godliness so there is no spiritual prosperity but spiritual dearth, with earlier love, harmony and drawing together lost unless there is strict watchfulness.Ms 4, 1865, par. 1 He begins with what may seem like small matters of disobedience and then presents greater attractions to lead fully away from God, making special efforts to win love for the world by representing religion as difficult and worldly pleasures as strewn with flowers, arraying the world in false and flattering colors.MYP 139.2+1 Loving the world thus leaves a person without God and without hope in a critical and dangerous condition, and throwing off the Spirit's conviction in order to hold to the world grieves God's Spirit and the holy angels, leaving the choice between God and the pleasures of the world.Lt 2, 1861, par. 1

High profession without separation is barren and unfruitful, for loving the world is a selfish spirit that lives for self, consulting own wishes, pleasure and convenience, narrowing and dwarfing the mind to own interests with no disinterested benevolence or sympathy for others' woes.3T 522.1 Those who have this spirit to a great extent do not have the Father's love in them even while professing to be connected with Christ's service, and weighed in the balances of the sanctuary they are found wanting, barren and unfruitful because they are not truly nourished by Christ the living vine.3T 522.1 A person may make a high profession of faith, yet if selfishness and love of earthly things and its corrupting desires rule the heart, that person has no part in the kingdom of the pure and holy.2T 59.2 Loving the world makes the world a god that is served through gratifying self while neglecting God and His Word with its warnings pointing out dangers, filling life with cares and perplexities until there is hardly time to pray, leaving only an empty form without saving power.Ms 1, 1856, par. 7 It overcharges the heart with indulgence and the cares of this life, the opposite of earnest wrestling prayer that refuses to let go without blessing, as Jesus prayed with earnestness and agony though He was the beloved Son of God.Ms 1, 1856, par. 7 Truly converted people make God and eternal things the great topic of life by renouncing pride and love of the world, whereas love of the world is the opposite of consecration to God and shows conversion has not changed the heart, leaving one unwilling to deny self, take up the cross and follow the meek and lowly Jesus.GC88 463.3 Loving the world in this sense includes pride, personal display, fine houses, lands and goods, worldly occupations, and church pleasures such as picnics, theatricals and fairs, which engross the mind, banish thoughts of God and leave eternal interests hardly noticed, so that religion becomes empty and the power of godliness departs.GC88 463.3 It means the cares of this life engross attention and the eternal enterprise is made secondary, with an avaricious, close, penurious, selfish spirit and affection set on treasures of earth, so God is not honored by the life.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9 Such love denies by works the faith professed, contradicting the profession of being pilgrims and strangers seeking a better, heavenly country and of waiting for and loving the appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ who will change vile bodies like His glorious body.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9 Fruit must compare with profession, and love of the world proves blindness to self, thinking to be rich and increased in goods with need of nothing while poor and miserable and blind and naked, needing the heavenly anointing and eyesalve to see.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9 A life filled with love of the world lacks self-denial and good works, does not wean from the world, is as eager after earthly things as worldly men in general, is a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men, and causes those for whom Christ died who look on to have no confidence in the truth of the Lord's near coming and not to glorify the Father in heaven.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9 Overcoming requires an entire transformation and thorough conversion that gives a correct sense of defects of character, producing pure and undefiled religion whose simplicity feels sympathy for others and does the life-work Christ has given all to do for others' good.3T 522.1

The verse warns those watching for Christ's coming not to become busy, excited and surfeited like worldlings with enterprises, cares, labor and desire for gain, for such absorption benumbs spiritual powers, eclipses heaven, destroys peace of mind and joy of soul, and forfeits the mansions and rest prepared for those who love God, ending in death, and placing the affections on a small treasure violates it as surely as on a large one.Lt 21a, 1871, par. 1–5+1 It does not forbid honest work or business, but it forbids letting worldly cares, amusement and pursuit of earthly wealth consume the time and attention that belong to God.ST Dec 17, 1896 When business and worldly interests take priority over God and eternal things, love for the world swallows up religion, worldly zeal cannot replace service to God, religious duties become mere outward form, and the heart absorbed in self-interest fails to use opportunities and means to do good as required, calling for waking, seeking God and repentance.ST Dec 17, 1896+2 Loving the world in this way makes the world a god served by gratifying self while neglecting God and His Word with its warnings and dangers, fills life with cares and perplexities until there is hardly time to pray, leaves only empty form without saving power, and overcharges the heart with indulgence and life's cares, the opposite of earnest wrestling prayer that refuses to let go without blessing as Jesus prayed with earnestness and agony though the beloved Son.Ms 1, 1856, par. 7 That love makes the world first and everything else secondary, makes family influence wrong in both directions, leaves faith indistinct, refuses the help God sends by which the fallen nature could be subdued, and offers strange fire instead of wholehearted effectual service employing all God-given powers diligently and conscientiously in the Creator's service, which alone God will accept.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 21

Putting business first leads to neglecting devotion, family duties and care for others, thereby withholding from God what is rightfully His.ST Dec 17, 1896 Faithful stewardship resists this worldliness by cutting away selfish indulgence and self-pleasing spending on show and needless things, carefully treasuring what is now wasted, and using means wisely to bring happiness to many hearts and to support laborers where truth has never been lifted, so that through Christ the Redeemer who gave His life believers secure heavenly treasure, life that measures with the life of God, and a place in the city whose Builder and Maker is God.Lt 34, 1898, par. 22–23 Loving the world and its possessions is incompatible with the Father's love, and in this setting includes serving mammon rather than God and being unfaithful with earthly possessions entrusted for use in His cause, while faithful use of those possessions to advance His cause proves faithfulness for the immortal inheritance.1T 198.1–2+1 Obeying the command not to love the world means becoming faithful stewards of grace, receiving gifts from the Lord Jesus in order to impart them to others in a life that is a trial of faith recognizing a heavenly hand reached out, laying aside the tenth for God and presenting gifts and offerings, which is the Lord's method of saving the soul from worldliness, greed and selfishness.Ms 45, 1890, par. 14+1 God makes those who love Him His stewards to be employed by Him, making the heart one with the heart of Christ who gave His life and all the honors and riches of heaven so that through faith one may have eternal riches.Ms 45, 1890, par. 14 Prosperity can become temptation when selfish, covetous people grasp worldly treasure and make it an idol, and giving possessions to advance God's cause and help those in need resists that temptation and lays up treasure in heaven.1T 142.1–2

Those who love the world let desire for gain, money, houses and land crowd out love for God and truth, excusing themselves by saying they want more in order to help the cause and promising to give after they gain a certain amount or buy a house or land, but when the desire is attained they have even less willingness to advance God's work than in poverty.STB 681.2–3 The deceitfulness of riches leads them on step by step until care of this world chokes the word and makes them unfruitful, so they lose all love for the truth while still flattering themselves that they believe it.STB 681.2–3 Prosperity tests people by revealing what is in their hearts, and pride and love of the world can lead them to sacrifice principles of truth while still professing to love it.3T 51.3 Love for earthly riches can displace love for God and truth, for prosperity tempts covetous people to cling to wealth and treat it as an idol, and when they give themselves to the world's riches they give up the love of God.SG4 185.2 Satan works to make the world very attractive to gain the affections, and through love of riches and worldly honor exerts a bewitching power even over the professed Christian world, so that those who will make any sacrifice to gain riches lose love for God and precious truth and interest in its advancement in proportion to their success, and the more they are prospered in securing riches the poorer they feel because they have no more, acting like insane men, with less to invest in God's cause.3T 478.3

The world must not be loved or depended on for help in need, for it is a snare to the soul that brings hopelessness from which rescue is needed.RH Mar 28, 1912 Its good things soon pass away and it cannot provide lasting refuge or help.SG4 218.2 Detaching affections from the world and accepting the life of self-denial and self-sacrifice that Jesus lived both by teaching and example is entering the strait gate to travel the narrow path that leads to the celestial city.RH Mar 28, 1912 Looking to God and trusting in Him brings peace and safety, while turning from the light He has given leaves people accountable to it.SG4 218.2

Conforming to worldly dress, pride of appearance, and outward display is loving the world, and it works against the Spirit, walks in darkness, contradicts profession of faith, dishonors God, and puts the soul on the enemy's battlefield.Lt 19, 1861, par. 5+2 Love of fashionable dress is idolatry gaining sway over the mind, separating the soul from God, destroying self-denial, and making it impossible to represent Christ, which hinders devoted, converted missionary work.Lt 19, 1861, par. 5+2 Separation in spirit and practice requires fleeing pride of appearance and love of self, with God's commandment-keeping people distinct from the world in dress.Lt 19, 1861, par. 5+2 Pride sways almost every action through extravagant desires for dress, wanting to keep up appearances and to dress and appear as one is not able, putting unnecessary clothing on the back or furnishings in the house while in debt.Lt 21, 1862, par. 3–4 Gratifying that propensity is sin, and desiring to keep up appearances leads to virtual dishonesty that makes truth disgusting and brings reproach on the cause.Lt 21, 1862, par. 3–4 Keeping the command requires living within means, living very plain in humility in the humble place where one belongs, even suffering lack of clothing and food rather than withholding what is justly due others, pursuing an honest, honorable course with all and being free from debt so as to owe no man anything, which alone God can prosper and bless.Lt 21, 1862, par. 3–4

Love for the world and its attractions draws God's people away from Him, and the world's excitement, entertainment, shows, lectures, endless variety of amusements, and schemes for quick wealth can appear harmless or innocent while weakening faith, diverting resources from God's work, and destroying desire to be true Christians.1T 550.3+4 Such amusements may be presented as harmless or necessary for happiness, but they distract from God, are temporary, take the devotion and gifts belonging to God, and leave professed Christians indistinguishable in appearance from unbelievers.MYP 367.1–3+1 Satan constantly prepares inducements through worldlings to keep up continual excitement and draw minds away from the solemn work of preparation for scenes just in the future.STB 838.1–2 He is a persevering, artful deceiver who takes advantage of every incautious word to nourish evil seed until it roots and harvests, and who lays finely woven nets that appear innocent to entangle the young and unwary.STB 838.1–2 The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification, and Satan manufactures abundance of worldly amusement to fill the mind with desire for it, so there is no time for the question, How is it with my soul.STB 838.1–2 Children must therefore be guarded from worldly influences and companions who have no interest in divine things, and choosing faithfulness may require sacrifice to gain heaven.1T 243.3

Examples that lead youth to love the world lead them away from God, because loving the world means taking in its spirit, which draws people away from God.TBC1872 50.1+1 Parents must guard children from that influence and train them for service to God.FE 545.1–2 The love of the world is the spirit of the world that must be subdued in children from earliest years.Lt 166, 1901, par. 14 This spirit is evil, it is increasing to an alarming extent in the churches, and it kills spirituality.Lt 166, 1901, par. 14 Love for dress, for selfish pleasure, and for vain amusements is positively forbidden, and those who follow Christ cannot find delight in the society of worldlings or seek amusement in any company where they could not welcome the Redeemer.Lt 1, 1871, par. 10–11 A worldly-loving spirit in professed followers of Jesus is grievous in God's sight and regarded with disapproval by angels, especially clownish witticism of young men and vain trifling affection of young girls when found in those who profess to bear the cross of Christ.Lt 1, 1871, par. 10–11

Keeping the command in trade means not making this world one's god, which is shown by giving way to natural feelings in barter and trade, being keen and sharp in dealing and always getting the best end of a bargain until becoming a proverb among unbelievers.Ms 1, 1856, par. 4 Keeping it is being willing to lose a little rather than grasp advantage, in order to exert a holier, happier influence and to show that this world is not one's god.Ms 1, 1856, par. 4 Loving the world is being more in harmony with the spirit of the world than with Jesus Christ, which shuts out the love of the Father and the presence of Christ.Lt 16, 1873, par. 6 That love is shown by encouraging children in vanity and pride, by failing to control children, by talking too much and esteeming one's own judgment superior to others, by making conversation mostly about dress and about the deportment, dress, and influence of others, and by failing to be a blessing to the church.Lt 16, 1873, par. 6 Those who love the world do not have genuine humble religion and do not carry out practical godliness in life, and they each have a work to do for themselves that no one else can do for them if they would exert an influence for good.Lt 16, 1873, par. 6

Love for the world and its things is forbidden and incompatible with love for the Father, and worldly attachment and conformity are a measure of character: a person cannot live to please self and have God's approval.Ms 37, 1896, par. 6–7+1 The warning is explained by the desires and pride of the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — which do not come from the Father.Ms 37, 1896, par. 6–7+1 Love for the things of this world hinders growth in grace, makes believers less spiritual and more worldly-minded, losing love for heavenly things and increasing love for earthly treasure.Ms 4, 1865, par. 15+1 This love includes failure to make the advance in health reform that God requires, and attachment to worldly pleasures can become stronger than care for a healthy body, sound mind, and sanctified heart, as with coffee and tea whose stimulating, intoxicating effect can become a worldly lust prized above health and higher moral powers.Ms 4, 1865, par. 13+1 Such love leaves Christ's subjects lukewarm, open to Satan who is at war with heaven's government and will annoy if he cannot destroy them, calling the church to arouse and be sanctified by professed truth.Ms 4, 1865, par. 15+1 Conformity can be prevented by feeding on God's Word and letting its principles shape whole life and character, by refusing conformity and being transformed through renewing of the mind, with God's grace working with human effort and will to bring the change, and by greater devotedness to God's cause with helping and blessing others as part of sharing the divine nature and escaping the world's corruption through lust.Ms 37, 1896, par. 6–7+2

The command is not to love the world or things in it because the world is supremely sensual and worldly people follow their own customs and practices, so believers must come out from among them and live separate, setting affection on things above and keeping the cross ever in view as perpetual memorial of a nobler world.Lt 9, 1891, par. 11 Love for God must be first and last and best in everything, with undivided affections and no rival influence holding the heart away from God.Lt 21, 1894, par. 20–23 To love the world is to set affections on earthly things, follow inclination, neglect the great salvation in a personal Saviour, and let the heart be stolen from God little by little as temptations gain ascendency, leaving a person not really happy and in danger of losing the soul.Lt 21, 1894, par. 20–23+1 Love for the world and its attractions cannot rule the heart alongside love for the Father, and love for Jesus and His service must exceed attachment to earthly possessions and treasure, with works showing which love is strongest.ST Mar 8, 1883+1 God who gave life and surrounded with rich blessings has first claim upon attention, so love and affection are to be withdrawn from this world and all earthly treasures and centered upon God, with best and holiest affections devoted to Him.RH Mar 29, 1870 When controlled by His Spirit there is no danger of their being perverted or misplaced, and their influence leads others to purity and holy life.RH Mar 29, 1870 Young people are called to withdraw affections from worldly desires and place them on Christ and heaven, for pursuing fleshly lust, lust of eyes, and pride of life serves the adversary and separates from God.ST Mar 8, 1883 A Christian drawing life from Christ has no desire for the world's frivolous, unsatisfying enjoyments, but turns from worldly attractions to live as a noble new creature in Christ, turning the heart toward the kingdom of heaven and its immortal inheritance and showing others the way to God.1T 168.1–4+1 Worldly pleasures pass away, leaving those who chose them with ruined hopes, while those who do God's will have hope of enduring life.ST Mar 8, 1883

Obedience means entire consecration to a self-denying, self-sacrificing life, with no selfish indulgence, self-aggrandizement, pride, vanity, or selfishness, but purposes and pursuits controlled by unselfish principles as sons and daughters of the heavenly King.Ms 26, 1891, par. 10–14 It means being governed by higher laws than lovers of the world, keeping the heavenly world in view through the cross of Calvary, with mind drawn from earthly to heavenly, affections and pursuits lifted above this world, seeking things above where Christ sits, dead with life hid in Christ, living in the world but not of the world as pilgrims and strangers seeking a better, heavenly country, and by that distinct influence drawing others along.Ms 26, 1891, par. 10–14 It requires a plain and distinct line of demarcation in spirit and principle between church and world, discerned by men and angels, coming out and being separate and touching not the unclean, refusing enslavement to Satan who rules those who reject Christ.Ms 26, 1891, par. 10–14 Love of the world must die, with interests directed toward the better life rather than this world, requiring overcoming self and surrendering the will to God.2T 188.1–2 Love of the world violates the great principle of love to God on which hang all the law and prophets, for self-love, love of the world, or undue affection for any created thing is idolatry, having other gods before the Lord, separating affections from the Father.3SP 52.1 It is impossible to love God with all the heart while the heart delights in idols, because every precept is connected so that in breaking one the whole united body is broken.3SP 52.1 Supreme love to God is not mere acknowledgment of His universal power with outward worship; God requires the heart's best and holiest affections and must reign supreme in mind and heart, first in thoughts, affections, and plans, turning from pride, selfishness, and sinful indulgence rather than choosing worldliness over purity and godliness.3SP 52.1+1 Those whose affections are set on God lose sight of self in Christ, and outward display is not a source of strength or true representation of God's people; Christ's grace equips them to have influence for good and keeps worldly attractions from drawing them from loyalty to Him.7T 90.2

Love of worldly gain, pleasure, and enjoyment acts like thorns that defile the heart and choke the gospel's growth.Ms 13, 1898, par. 3–6 Unless these desires are uprooted through continuing work of purification, they grow until they overshadow love for God and truth; professing belief is not enough if truth does not sanctify the life.Ms 13, 1898, par. 3–6 Loving the world means giving supreme devotion to worldly pursuits and desires — money, business, property, fame, honor, covetousness, or lust — in place of God, and those who cherish such things are idolaters.ST May 18, 1882 It forbids worldly conformity, especially investing money and goods God has lent in worldly enterprises and schemes to please and glorify self, where His blessing is withdrawn from their use.Lt 110, 1899, par. 20–21 Obedience to the plain Thus saith the Lord makes such conformity impossible and brings gospel sanctification and transformation of soul, body, and spirit.Lt 110, 1899, par. 20–21 When worldly love has captivated the senses, the truth's sanctifying power brings cherished sins to an end, and a higher attraction breaks that love's hold so Jesus can occupy the heart.ST May 18, 1882 Victory over the world depends on the gospel of Christ, and the faith and love and hope and trust that overcome come through partaking of the divine nature by living under the light of Christ's glory with continual growth, so that these graces abounding make believers neither barren nor unfruitful in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.Ms 83, 1901, par. 14–15 Those who keep the command as it reads, with eyes enlightened by God's Spirit and not by worldly advisers, are all light in the Lord, with riches of heaven's glory shining before and behind and on every side, cooperating with God as Christ worked for souls and bodies of fellow men, going through the strait gate into the narrow way, the path cast up for the ransomed to walk in, proving the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Lt 110, 1899, par. 20–21 Those who break it by such worldly investment cannot have God's blessing on their means and will become literally poor, and God does not want His people worried and troubled over goods so misused.Lt 110, 1899, par. 20–21

The command is a gospel message not to be turned from, commanding full persuasion and decision for Christ rather than loving the world, for love of the world excludes the Father's love.Lt 21, 1899, par. 6–7 It means placing oneself in the channel of light at once, with not one hour to waste, because to be almost but not fully persuaded is to be lost, like Felix and Agrippa who heard and delayed.Lt 21, 1899, par. 6–7 It calls for immediate preparation for the grand review that must soon take place, when all must be weighed in the balance of the sanctuary to see if they are complete in Jesus Christ.Lt 21, 1899, par. 6–7

Victory over the world with its affections and lusts is part of being sanctified through truth and sharing in the divine nature; those ruled by worldly desires are not fit to join the redeemed.STA 68.2+1 Self and the world with its affections and lusts must be overcome, for those who stay carnally minded and love the world are sensual, debased in thought and abominable in God's sight, never sanctified through truth and never partakers of the divine nature, and they will never unite with the family of the redeemed.Ms 27, 1892, par. 7 Such characters are throughout the churches and make the churches weak and sickly and ready to die.Ms 27, 1892, par. 7 Love of the world is a besetment that must be overcome, with pride, selfishness, and every wrong word and action, to share the refreshing; this calls for drawing nearer to the Lord and seeking preparation to stand in the day of the Lord, since only holy beings can dwell in God's presence.CET 113.1 Believers live in the world but must not belong to it by setting love on its passing things, for loving worldly things conflicts with love for the Father, and lavishing affection on what perishes can cost eternal reward.CE 79.1 Though sound judgment recognizes heavenly things superior, the human heart is drawn to give worldly things precedence.CE 79.1 The verse requires a decided, pointed testimony rebuking every impurity and exalting Jesus, and requires God's people to be in attitude of expectation, working and waiting and watching and praying.Ms 27, 1892, par. 7

The verse is a beware to be lifted loudly like a trumpet to warn others, for loving the world is a snare that causes yielding sacred obligations to God and truth.Lt 28, 1859, par. 1–3 It means having the world in the heart and sacrificing a noble calling that would elevate above the world and fix grasp upon immortal treasures.Lt 28, 1859, par. 1–3 It means to arouse and love truth more earnestly instead of loving the world, which requires change, getting out to meetings where there are new gifts, and in that way obtaining new and increasing light.Ms 4, 1865, par. 9 Love of the world shuts Jesus out of the church and calls for complete surrender to God.2T 189.1 The mind must be trained to dwell on religious things and seek spiritual knowledge; when exercised instead on worldly enterprises, it grows strong in that direction and weak in appreciating eternal things, making service to God difficult.2T 189.1 When love for the world takes hold, love for God is driven from the heart, but God's love, working with human effort, can remove worldly love by keeping the better world in view.2MR 328.2 Loving the world is characteristic of the unrenewed man, meaning inordinate love for worldly possessions, and love for the world and Father's love cannot live together; unless God's love takes possession with subduing, controlling power, things of this world will engross thoughts and absorb affections.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 9–12 The world must be deposed from highest place and given only subordinate, not controlling, power, for fixing affections upon this world endangers the soul.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 9–12 When eternal things attract the mind, the present world appears as it is, a mere atom, and infinite treasures of eternal life reveal littleness of the temporal, making eternal interests all-absorbing.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 9–12 Christ does not destroy interest in duties of this life, but breaks the spell of infatuation that the world's business casts upon the mind.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 9–12 Where love of the world remains, spiritual vision is distorted and earthly advantages are so magnified as to eclipse heavenly attractions.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 9–12 When influence of truth fades, love of the world can revive, take control of the mind, and lead people to serve possessions instead of God, as part of a battle between truth and love of the world.4MR 437.2

Heeding the command gives Christ's instruction to stop exalting self and disparaging others and instead to criticize self, confess and forsake sin, set the heart in order, and make diligent work of repentance to be cleansed from sin and made ready for the Lord's appearing, because the present is the great day of atonement when souls are in peril and there is not a moment to lose.Lt 368, 1904, par. 14–15 It is God's call to be listened to, turning from love of the world to cultivate love for heavenly things by beholding Jesus so His likeness is reflected in cheerful, grateful praise for His love and grace.17MR 174.3–175.1 Where the world is loved the Father's love is absent, and those who resist light and evidence walk as blind men not knowing at what they stumble, making crooked paths for feet by which the lame are turned out of the way.17MR 174.3–175.1 The heavenly anointing departs and mischief enters when the soul is not trained to exercise of pity, when faith scarcely has existence, and when men handling sacred things are sharp, critical, and censorious.17MR 174.3–175.1 Those called to serve as ministers must separate themselves from love of the world before taking that responsibility, for persisting in doubt and unbelief places them among the fearful and unbelieving, whose reward is judgment.GW92 114.2 Believers must not love the world or the wicked, but must love God and those who bear His image, with children urged to seek acceptance with God and make peace with Him so they will be ready to stand in the day of slaughter and be saved in the kingdom, where they may enjoy beauty of the earth made new.4MR 325.2 In a converted soul, love for God takes the place of love for the world.Lt 1, 1896, par. 6 Worldly rank and riches cannot make a person rich in God's sight; to possess them yet be separated from Christ is eternal loss, and sharing Christ's love is better than worldly honor.Lt 1, 1896, par. 6 Love for God keeps worldly attractions from drawing a person from loyalty to Him, and Christ's grace equips those whose affections are set on God to have influence for good.7T 90.2