1 John 2:16

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For all that makes up the world, namely, the improper desires of the physical body, the improper desires for what is seen, and the [boastful] pride over life’s possessions; these are not from the Father, but from the [godless] world.

Cross References

Matthew 4:8

The devil took Him again, [this time] to a very high mountain and showed Him all the world’s kingdoms, along with their splendor,

Matthew 5:28

But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with an improper sexual desire for her [body], has already been sexually unfaithful to his mate in his heart.

Luke 4:5

Then he led Him up [i.e., to a high mountain. See Matt. 4:8] and showed Him all the world’s kingdoms in a fleeting instant.

Romans 13:14

But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make any plans for satisfying the strong desires of your flesh [i.e., your appetites for sinful pleasures].

1 Corinthians 10:6

Now these events were examples for us, so that we should not have strong desires for evil things like they did.

Galatians 5:17

For what your body wants is in conflict with what the Holy Spirit wants [for you], and what the Holy Spirit wants conflicts with what your body wants, for these [two desires] are contrary to one another, so that you do not [always] do what you [really] want to.

Galatians 5:24

And those persons who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified [i.e., put out of their lives, Col. 3:4ff] the sinful cravings of the body, along with their passionate desires.

Ephesians 2:3

All of us [Jews] also once lived among such people, fulfilling the improper cravings of our physical being and doing what our bodies and minds desired. In this natural [unconverted] state we were deserving of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].

Titus 2:12

It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 3:3

For we [Christians] were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various kinds of [evil] desires and [sinful] pleasures. [We used to] live in malice and envy, hating people and being hated by them.

James 3:15

This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit].

James 4:16

But, as it is, you people are boasting in your arrogance [and] all such boasting is evil.

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant,

1 Peter 2:11

My dearly loved ones, I urge you, as a people who are foreigners and strangers [in this world], do not give in to sinful desires, which wage war against the soul.

2 Peter 2:10

[This fate will come upon] those people especially who corrupt themselves with physical desires and despise being ruled by others. They are daring, self-willed, and are not afraid to speak against glorious beings [i.e., angels],

2 Peter 2:18

[Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world.