In 1 John chapter 2 verses 15 through 17, God’s word reveals the following message:

1 John 2:15-17 NKJV
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. [17] And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

To gain a fuller understanding, we can correlate Galatians 5:19-21:

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, [21] envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What is it that we are not to love? That which is of the world, namely the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. The lust of the flesh would certainly encompass all the works of the flesh that are condemned in the passage cited in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, which I would point out is not an all inclusive list of sins that will keep us out of heaven.

Simply put, if we live our lives solely focusing on what our flesh desires, we will keep ourselves from the blessings of God and ultimately inherit eternal punishment once our earthly life is finished.

Sin takes many forms and we need to be able to recognize it in order to abstain from it. The Bible says:

Romans 12:21 NKJV
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The works of the flesh should give way to the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

This world that we live in is evil. But if we abide in the doctrine of Christ, we can overcome and conquer death just as He has.

John 8:51 NKJV
Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

Do not love the world. Love the WORD!