1 John 2:15 “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.”

In recent years T-shirts with sayings on them have become a real craze. The wearer selects apparel with a message for others. You can tell something about the person by this message. But there is a more accurate way to evaluate a person’s inner values. This is discerned by the way they live daily.

I am intrigued by the messages sent through the T-shirt medium. Some messages are in good taste. Others are downright rude. Still others share information about the wearer like “I ‘heart’ my boyfriend” or “I ‘heart’ my cat.” But just because someone has a phrase printed on a T-shirt doesn’t mean the words are true. If a supposed cat lover kicks her cat every time it purrs, the action reveals the real heart of the matter.

Many people profess to love God. They may do all the “right” spiritual things such as attending church, tithing and singing in the church choir. They may even sport spiritual T-shirts, reading “I ‘heart’ Jesus.” But the truth is revealed in the way they live their everyday lives.

John instructs his readers to consider who and what they really love. He tells them not to love the world or the things in the world. Of course, he is not saying it’s wrong to care for your boyfriend or cat. He is talking about priorities within this world’s system. The world, run by Satan, doesn’t recognize God as supreme ruler and organizes all its passions – the desires of the flesh and the eyes and the pride of life – apart from God. Anything in our life that takes precedence over God and His purposes fits into these categories.

John goes on to say, “If anyone loves the world, then the love of the Father is not in him.” Those who make materialism, pleasure or relationships apart from Christ their main goal in life show with whom they identify and what they truly love. When the world’s priorities rise to the forefront, the person’s heart values become clear.

So have you thought about your own life? Maybe it’s time to evaluate where your priorities truly lie. Don’t love the world or the things in the world because they quickly pass away. Instead seek to do God’s will and give Him precedence in your life. Then everyone you meet will be able to read your heart’s true passion . . . even on the days you are not wearing your “I ‘heart’ the Father” T-shirt.