1 John 2:16 “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, but is of the world.”
For all that the world is; the lusts of the body and mind and prideful thinking when man compares himself to others to see how he measures up in the world. Where lusts of the body and mind are simply needs and wants of the human condition. Where pride is man glorifying himself for his accomplishments or state of excellence as a person above others [in his mind].
2 Corinthians 10:12-13, 17-18 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. ... But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”
1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.”
“Overcoming the world” includes letting go of trying to measure something that cannot be measured according to man’s understanding and numbering system. Glory in the world’s terms is not glory in the eyes of the Lord. Measuring up according to the world of comparison via pride of ones being does not matter in the mind of the Lord. Faith or trusting in something greater than this is what overcomes the “world” (lusts and pride of the body and mind).
Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Gaining the needs of the body and mind (the world) does not compare to gaining real life. So what is real life if it is not obtaining status in the world of pride? What is real life for the soul if it is not seeking after the needs and wants of the body (flesh) and mind (eyes)?
Matthew 6:8 “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Seek not for what appears to be needed because this is the entrapment of the “world”. God already knows what each person needs (Rom 8:26-28), and will supply it. But rather;
Romans 12:3, 5 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. ... So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
And;
Philippians 2:3-4 “[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
The secret to overcoming the world of need and pride is that man see the needs and deeds of others as himself. In Christ [the anointing of the mind that transforms man’s thinking to love] man does not separate himself from the needs of others because they are one in the same. When man stops thinking he is better than others and see the needs of others as himself, the world of lusts and pride will be overcome.
Galatians 5:13-17 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Man is limited and cannot “do the things he would” when he sees the needs of his flesh instead of the Spirit of the matter. Spirit is not of this world. Man is one [in the mind that is “Christ”, who is Spirit], but when he tries to separate himself from others, the world of need and pride takes over. However;
Luke 6:32-38 “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Man was put here to learn that others are himself. When man realizes that the “Highest” good is kind to the unthankful and evil (i.e. everyone), then he sees the error in his way. When man learns not to judge others, not to condemn others, but to forgive everyone, then he is “born” of the most High. When man realizes that it is what he gives away that matters more than what he can seek out for himself, then he will be happy because that is how he will truly give to himself. The universe gives back all that it receives, and this is the secret to overcoming the world.
Job 42:3, 5-6, 10 “Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. ... I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes. ... And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
The LORD will give council, even when man does not know; especially when man does not think he already knows. When man admits he does not know, he will see and abhor himself into a change of mind (“repentance from dead works”).
And the LORD will release man’s captivity in this world when he sees the needs of others as himself.