"Spiritual Adultery"

John is speaking about two types of love in 1 John 2:15, 'agapao' and 'agape'; "love not the world" uses the 'agapao' word, which means to esteem, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone. This is the love that is expressed in Ephesians 2:4, "His great love wherewith He loved us"; and it brings with it strong affection. It also is the type of love which is used towards our enemies; love that expresses compassion towards another; which is different than 'phileo' love, which is to befriend them and adopt their interest; becoming friends on their level. It is this act of finding joy in something other than in God which is what I am talking about today; because that is what we will be drawn to, time and time again for fulfillment of joy. Which is really quite ironic when you come to think of it, because those things that we get joy from on this earth are not long lasting, and can only give temporary fulfillment. However, the joy that the Lord gives to us is eternal; meaning that His ability to fulfill joy within us never changes and is always available. The other love which John uses, 'agape', "the love of the Father is not in him", expresses God's willful direction towards man; "For God so loved the world" is a prime example of this love. This type of love, although seemingly close to 'agapao', is more the proof of love than the expression of love; therefore, it is to say that God's eternal love is not in us because of our affection towards that which is temporary, and that which is passing away. Therefore, this is what we can refer to as 'spiritual adultery'; which demonstrates man's ability to accept God's willful direction towards him, and yet turn right around and seek fulfillment of joy in the things of this world: instead of his joy being fulfilled by the expressed Love of God...