If you will turn with me to 1 John chapter 2. We’re going to continue in our series on love this evening. I’m looking forward to the future, and I’ve been praying about some other series I’d like us to get into very soon—specifically one on the names of God in the Bible, along with several other subjects the Lord has been working on in my heart.
But tonight, we are still focusing on love. We’ve already looked at the definition of love and the demonstration of love. Tonight, we’re going to look at the distraction of love.
When we use the word “diversion,” the first thing that comes to my mind is the diversion of water. In sports, nearly every game includes some form of diversion. A basketball player fakes one direction and moves another. A boxer throws a fake punch before delivering the real one. A quarterback looks one way and throws another. We understand these things because diversions work.
Have you ever teased a dog with a toy? You get the dog moving one way, then throw the toy another direction. One of our little dogs is so toy-driven that if you throw two toys at once, she freezes. She just stands there, unable to decide which one to chase.
In many ways, that’s how human beings are. We like to think of ourselves as capable of doing many things at once, but the reality is that distractions affect us deeply. In fact, I’m afraid many times the devil doesn’t have to lead Christians into some great sin. He simply has to distract us.
When we come to 1 John, it’s interesting that many of the passages about love—God’s love, our love for Him, and our love for one another—are found in John’s writings. I don’t think that is accidental.
Tonight we’ll be looking specifically at 1 John 2:12–17. Some of these verses speak directly about love, while others seem less connected at first glance. Yet they all fit together beautifully. John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, encourages believers to continue doing what they know is right, but he also warns them about a great danger.
That danger is not primarily false teachers, gross sin, or outright apostasy. The danger is distraction—being drawn away from the love God calls us to have.
So tonight, we’re going to look at “The Distraction of Love.”
The Bible says in 1 John 2:12:
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.”
Then he continues:
“I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.”
John goes through different groups of believers and reminds them of the blessings and responsibilities they have in Christ.
He starts with little children. He reminds them that their sins are forgiven. What a wonderful truth! God has forgiven us completely, and because of that, we ought to love Him.
Then he speaks to fathers—those who are older and more experienced. He says they have known Him that is from the beginning. Their relationship with God is meant to deepen over time.
Then he turns to the young men and reminds them that they have overcome the wicked one. Youth often comes with strength and energy, and God intends for that strength to be used for His glory.
John then repeats several of these ideas for emphasis. He reminds the fathers again that they know Him who is from the beginning. He reminds the young men that they are strong because the Word of God abides in them.
The takeaway is clear: every stage of life has value, and every believer has been blessed by God. Our sins are forgiven. We know God. We have victory in Christ. Therefore, we ought to love Him because He first loved us.
But then John gives a warning.
Verse 15 says:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”
This is where the distraction comes in.
The devil cannot take away our salvation. We believe salvation is by grace alone and sustained by grace alone. But while the devil cannot destroy our salvation, he can make us ineffective.
Sometimes he doesn’t ruin a Christian through open rebellion. Sometimes he simply distracts them.
John warns us not to love the world. Now, that word “world” can be misunderstood. In John 3:16, the Bible says:
“For God so loved the world…”
Obviously, that cannot mean the same thing as 1 John 2:15. God loved the people of the world enough to send His Son. But here in 1 John, the “world” refers to the system and values of this present life—the things that pull our hearts away from God.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings God gives us. We should thank Him for food, family, possessions, and all good gifts. But we are not to idolize them.
John says:
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father…”
The world constantly tells us to chase comfort, possessions, pleasure, and status. But none of those things satisfy permanently.
Everything in this world is temporary. Houses decay. Cars break down. Money disappears. Possessions fade away. But God remains forever.
Verse 17 says:
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
That is the heart of the message.
God wants us to love Him supremely—not physical things, not comfort, not status, and not even ministry itself above Him. Our love is to be centered on God.
One of the clearest examples of worldliness in the Bible is Demas. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:10:
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”
Notice that Paul does not say Demas committed some terrible public sin. He simply loved this present world more than eternal things.
That’s the danger for every Christian.
We can become so focused on the here and now that we lose sight of eternity.
The Christian life requires delayed gratification. The world says, “Take what you want now.” God says, “Trust Me for something better later.”
The reality is that we already have tremendous blessings in Christ:
- Forgiveness of sins
- A relationship with God
- Strength through His Word
- Victory over the wicked one
So why trade eternal joy for temporary distractions?
John’s challenge is simple:
Don’t place your deepest love on things that will pass away. Reserve that highest love for God alone.
Yes, enjoy the blessings God gives you. Be thankful for them. But never let them take God’s place in your heart.
As Christians, we should regularly examine ourselves and ask:
- Am I loving God the way He deserves?
- Am I distracted by the things of this world?
- Am I using God’s blessings to serve Him, or am I letting them pull me away from Him?
May we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and remember that the things of this world are temporary, but our relationship with God is eternal.