1 John 2:16 English Standard Version (ESV) For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

We begin this verse with everything, all that is in the world. Then we narrow the focus, desires and pride. The KJV uses lust rather than desire. That narrows the meaning even further. We desire many things that we have no intention of possessing. Lust moves to take action to possess.

The footnotes for pride of life seems to support that line of thinking by calling it pride of possessions. What is the necessity in narrowing the field from all things to specific intentions? Is it to call attention to the more common temptations upon which we might act? The stronger the temptation the harder it is to resist.

We admire God’s handy work. The Rocky Mountains offer up some grand scale views that are soothing to the soul in contemplation of His creation. Does that good thing create in us a desire to buy the lot with the best view to build a home? Does that home have to be grand enough to be worthy of the view with large expanses of glass? Suddenly a good thing has turned to a desire to possess. Surely that cannot be wrong if we can afford such a place. Surely it cannot be a sin.

This is a simple example of how anything in the world can be turned into a sin. It is one thing to admire if it is temporary in design and not a focal point. Take a photo and put it in a frame. We would be able to enjoy the memory without endangering pride of possession.

“Man desires first with his eyes,” Hannibal Lector. Even the insane understand.