1 John 2:16-17
For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read all of 1 John 2
68 songs meet this passage
Till the World Ends · Britney Spears
strains against 1 John 2:16-17
The song's whole posture, chasing bodily desire and sensation as if it's the lasting thing worth living for, mirrors exactly what John warns is passing away.
goosebumps · Travis Scott
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The song's overall pursuit of lust, status, and wealth embodies exactly what John calls the desires of the flesh and the pride of life.
“I robbed the devil of love, all right”
Cradle Of Love (Remastered 2001) · Billy Idol
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
Framing lust as something 'robbed' from the devil inverts the warning against loving the world's desires.
Black Velvet · Alannah Myles
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The song's whole posture elevates romantic/celebrity infatuation to near-spiritual intensity, the kind of misplaced longing this passage cautions against without condemning the song itself.
“Hypnotized mesmerized by what my eyes have seen”
Carnival · Natalie Merchant
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
Her admission of being captivated by sensory spectacle stands in tension with the call not to love the passing allure of the world.
Goodies (feat. Petey Pablo) · Ciara
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The song's broader celebration of luxury, status, and physical desirability as the markers of worth stands opposite to a call toward things that don't pass away.
Let Me Hold You (feat. Omarion) · Bow Wow
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The overall pitch (status, shine, the mall, the car) leans on the desires of the eyes and the pride of life as the way to win someone's heart.
Throw It In the Bag (feat. The-Dream) · Fabolous
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The song's entire posture, defining identity and romance through possessions and status, is the 'lust of the eyes' and 'pride of life' this passage cautions against.
“I'm not talking 'bout love, I'm talking 'bout lust”
Time of Our Lives · Pitbull & Ne-Yo
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The song names its own desire plainly as lust of the flesh, exactly the pull John warns is passing and not rooted in the Father.
“I love the 'Gram, I love the 'Gram”
Down in the DM · Yo Gotti
strains against 1 John 2:15-16
The lust of the eyes and the pride of life described here match the song's obsession with status, attention, and conquest through social media.
“Nothin' make a woman feel better than Berrettas and Amarettas”
No Time · Lil' Kim
strains against 1 John 2:15-17
The song locates identity and satisfaction in possessions and sensuality, which this passage names as the passing things of the world rather than lasting life.
Holy Grail (feat. Justin Timberlake) · JAŸ-Z
strains against 1 John 2:15-17
The song's entire arc, chasing fame and a love that never satisfies, illustrates the futility of loving what the world offers instead of what lasts.
Under Ground Kings · Drake
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's overall posture, centered on lust, pride of possessions, and self-glory, mirrors exactly what this verse names as not from the Father.
“I don't want the world, but I'll take this city”
HOT TO GO! · Chappell Roan
strains against 1 John 2:16
The desire named here is fairly modest in scope, but the verse's warning about the lust of the flesh and eyes still frames the song's core craving.
Timeless · The Weeknd & Playboi Carti
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's overall posture, flaunting wealth, bodies, and status as the marks of being 'timeless,' is a portrait of exactly what this verse names as passing away.
“Give me your best and I won't turn you down”
Beautiful People · David Guetta & Sia
strains against 1 John 2:16
The demand to be endlessly impressed and given 'your best' mirrors the boastful pride of life John warns is not from the Father.
24K Magic · Bruno Mars
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, boasting in status, looks, and possessions, lines up with what John calls the pride of life rather than anything of the Father.
SICKO MODE · Travis Scott
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, flexing wealth, lust, and pride of life, is almost a checklist of what this verse names as not from the Father.
“I want the world in my hands”
Sweater Weather · The Neighbourhood
strains against 1 John 2:16
The opening desire to possess 'the world' echoes the self-focused craving John warns against, though the song doesn't dwell there.
“Pay for like ten n- to get in, we crunk, lit”
Rich Flex · Drake & 21 Savage
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boasting of lifestyle and status here is exactly the 'pride of life' this verse warns is not from the Father.
Hypnotize · The Notorious B.I.G.
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's celebration of lust, luxury, and pride of life is precisely what John names as not of the Father.
Feel So Good · Mase
strains against 1 John 2:16
The chase after cars, status, and pleasure mirrors exactly what John calls the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, not the Father's love.
“Every time the ladies pass, they be like hi Will”
Miami · Will Smith
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boasting about attention, wealth, and pleasure reflects the 'lust of the eyes' and 'pride of life' this verse names as not from the Father.
Big Pimpin' (feat. UGK) [Edited] · JAŸ-Z
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's preoccupation with lust, wealth, and status is a vivid picture of what John calls the pride of life.
Ride Wit Me · Nelly
strains against 1 John 2:16
The entire song, lust, pride in possessions, and self-glory, is nearly a checklist of what this verse names as not from the Father.
“Shorty in the drop top V made a right”
Fiesta · R. Kelly
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's opening flex of cars and women mirrors exactly what John calls 'the lust of the eyes and the pride of life,' not of the Father.
Southern Hospitality · Ludacris & Pharrell Williams
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song is an ode to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, exactly what John warns does not come from the Father.
Right Thurr (feat. Jermaine Dupri & Trina) [Remix] · Chingy
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole track is built around 'the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes,' celebrated without tension or reflection.
Lean Back · Terror Squad
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture of flaunted wealth, pride, and bravado mirrors the 'pride of life' this passage warns against.
“Lovely get the ice, pop champagne”
Headsprung (iTunes Original) · LL COOL J
strains against 1 John 2:16
The flaunted wealth and indulgence here is exactly the 'lust of the eyes' pattern John warns is not from the Father.
“I'm a nice dude with some nice dreams”
Drop It Like It's Hot (feat. Pharrell Williams) · Snoop Dogg
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boasting about wealth, cars, and jewelry here is precisely the 'pride of life' this verse warns is not from the Father but from the world.
“gettin' pretty damn rich”
Grind With Me · Pretty Ricky
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boast of wealth and conquest through sexual exploits mirrors exactly the 'lust of the flesh' and 'pride of life' John warns against.
It's Goin' Down (Featuring Nitti) · Yung Joc featuring Nitti
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song is an ode to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, presented without any tension or doubt.
Shoulder Lean (feat. T.I.) · Young Dro featuring T.I.
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's pride of possessions, physical pleasure, and status is essentially a catalog of what this verse names as not from the Father.
“Big four fifth, big dick, and big cars”
I Know You See It (Featuring Brandy "Ms. B" Hambrick) · Yung Joc featuring Brandy "Ms. B" Hambrick
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boasting of lust, possessions, and status named here as 'not from the Father' maps almost exactly onto this verse's list of worldly pride.
This Is Why I'm Hot · Mims
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's pride in possessions, status, and desirability is essentially a catalog of what this verse calls not from the Father.
Stronger · Kanye West
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, chasing status, lust, and pride of life, reads as a soundtrack to exactly what this verse names as passing away.
We Fly High · Jim Jones
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, is exactly what this verse names as not of the Father.
Rockstar · Nickelback
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole vision of the good life, bodily pleasure, material display, and status, lines up almost exactly with what John calls not of the Father.
The Way I Live · Baby Boy da Prince
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's preoccupation with possessions, pleasure, and pride of life mirrors exactly what John warns isn't from the Father.
A Bay Bay (Single Version) · Hurricane Chris
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole track is built around the desires of the flesh and the pride of life, the very triad this verse names as not being from the Father.
“Throw some D's on that bitch”
Throw Some D's (feat. Polow Da Don) · Rich Boy featuring Polow Da Don
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boasting over cars, rims, and possessions is a vivid picture of the 'pride of life' John warns is not from the Father.
“I said you could have whatever you like”
Whatever You Like · T.I.
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's entire premise, buying affection through 'whatever you like,' is the lust of the flesh and the pride of life dressed up as generosity.
Can't Believe It (feat. Lil Wayne) · T-Pain
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's logic, buying affection through possessions and bodily pleasure, mirrors exactly what this verse names as not from the Father.
Get Like Me (feat. Chris Brown & Yung Joc) · David Banner
strains against 1 John 2:16
Lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life are paraded here as aspirational rather than warned against.
The Boss (feat. T-Pain) · Rick Ross
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song is an ode to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, exactly what this verse names as not of the Father.
Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) · JAŸ-Z & Kanye West
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's boasting about possessions, sex, and status embodies the very triad John names as not from the Father.
Forever (with Drake, Kanye West & Lil Wayne) · Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole track is a catalog of the pride of life, boasting in possessions, conquests, and dominance, the very thing this verse warns is not from the Father.
“I want it all, it all, it all”
Omg (feat. will.i.am) · USHER
strains against 1 John 2:16
The repeated craving for more centers on bodily desire, echoing the 'lust of the eyes' this verse warns against as not rooted in the Father.
“We pop champagne cause we got that dough”
Say Aah (feat. Fabolous) · Trey Songz
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boast of wealth and pleasure here is exactly the 'lust of the eyes and pride of life' John warns is not from the Father.
Over · Drake
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song is built around the desires of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life, presented as the point rather than something to be wary of.
Right Above It (feat. Drake) · Lil Wayne & Drake
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song parades the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life as things to be celebrated rather than resisted.
Teach Me How to Dougie · Cali Swag District
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's boasting about status, lust, and self-made reputation mirrors exactly the 'pride of life' this verse warns against chasing.
Black and Yellow · Wiz Khalifa
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's entire boast of cars, jewelry, and conquest is a vivid picture of the 'pride of life' this verse names as passing away.
I'm On One (feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne) · DJ Khaled
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's boasting in wealth, pleasure, and self-indulgence is a vivid picture of what this verse calls the pride of life, not of the Father.
“No matter day or night I'm shining”
Don't Wanna Go Home · Jason Derulo
strains against 1 John 2:16
The boast of self-glory ('I'm a star') reflects the pride of life John warns is not from the Father but from the world.
International Love (feat. Chris Brown) · Pitbull
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, 'the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes' dressed as world travel and romance, is the very pattern John warns against.
“Anything you want is yours”
So Good · B.o.B
strains against 1 John 2:16
The promise of total indulgence echoes the 'lust of the eyes and pride of life' John warns against, treating possessions and sensory pleasure as the highest good.
“Feels so good getting what I want”
Fancy (feat. Charli XCX) · Iggy Azalea
strains against 1 John 2:16
The pursuit of pleasure, possessions, and pride described here maps closely onto the song's core boast.
Lifestyle (feat. Young Thug & Rich Homie Quan) · Rich Gang
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's pursuit of lust, pride, and material flaunting is a vivid picture of what John calls not of the Father.
23 (feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J) · Mike WiLL Made-It
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole track is a catalog of 'the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life', dressed up as a good night out.
Classic Man (feat. Roman GianArthur) · Jidenna
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole persona here, pride of life, lust, and desire for possessions, fits precisely what John names as not from the Father.
Broccoli · DRAM
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song orbits the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, exactly what this verse names as not of the Father.
Jumpman · Drake & Future
strains against 1 John 2:16
The whole song's preoccupation with possessions, pride, and pleasure mirrors exactly what John calls 'not from the Father.'
White Iverson · Post Malone
strains against 1 John 2:16
The entire song's posture, lust of the eyes, pride of possessions, status display, maps closely onto what this verse names as not of the Father.
That's What I Like · Bruno Mars
strains against 1 John 2:16
The song's whole posture, flaunting riches, pleasure, and desire as the good life, mirrors exactly what this verse names as passing and not of the Father.
I'm the One (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne) · DJ Khaled
strains against 1 John 2:16
This line reduces attraction to wealth and sexual desire, echoing the 'lust of the eyes' and 'pride of life' John warns against.
Wildest Dreams · Taylor Swift
strains against 1 John 2:17
The song treats a passing romance as worth preserving in memory forever, while this passage points to a love and hope that actually endures.