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The Subtle Dangers of Worldliness

I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Far too often, we have this perception of our enemy, that he only comes in a loud and clamorous manner to bring calamity into our lives. Certainly there are times when the enemy comes in like a flood, as a roaring lion...teeth and all. But I have discovered that he is more than willing to slowly deceive us little by little, lulling us into a spiritual stupor. You may think that could never happen to you-if that's the case then you may be in more danger than you think. (I Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall)

The scriptures tell us that it is the "little foxes" that spoil the vine (ref:Song of Solomon 2:15). With this in mind, we should be aware that there are cunning techniques the enemy will employ, in order to bring about spiritual defeat in the lives of believers. We are admonished to not be "ignorant of his devices", and in Ephesians 6 we are reminded about the "wiles of the devil." The implication is that he loves to work through deception. Remember Jesus called the devil the "father of lies" and how appropriate this title is! Today we're going to look at one of the biggest, and most destructive of all deceptions....the subtle trap of worldliness.

Interestingly enough, even though the saints fall prey to this trap so often, the scriptures are not silent of the dangers associated with worldliness. Now understand that when I speak of the term "world" or "worldliness", I'm not referring to the planet Earth. I'm referring to the system by which the devil operates his kingdom. Let's look at a few scriptures that will help us lay a foundation for this concept. :

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

I John 5: 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness

Matthew 4:8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out

John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me

John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged

II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

Here we see the devil pictured as having dominion over the affairs of the world government at the present time. That doesn't mean that God is not Sovereign (for He certainly is), but He in his Providence, has allowed satan to operate in the world during this present time. There will come a time (Rev 20) when he will be bound for a thousand years- loosed again- and then finally thrown in to the lake of fire. But right now, we have to deal with him, and we must not be ignorant of this deadly device of worldliness.

Jesus on the other hand, made it clear that His kingdom was not of this present world, but rather the world that is to come:

Matthew 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

This is one reason that we (as believers) should never look to world politicians to bring about true blessing and reform. While it is true that we should be active in the community and should stand up for biblical values, we shouldn't have unrealistic expectations. The powers that be are ordained of God, and we certainly are responsible to pray for our governmental leaders and officials, but the truth of the matter is that there will never be true peace until the Prince of Peace comes to rule and reign on the earth (and this writer believes the time is sooner rather than later).

The bible is clear that worldliness is a spiritual problem, and must be dealt with in spiritual terms.

I Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God

There is indeed a "spirit" of the world led by the "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). But we, as believers, should not walk in accordance with this world, but in accordance with the Spirit of God. The scriptures declare that "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

Let's look at some of the scriptures which warn us of inordinate affection for this present world:

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?

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful

Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

II Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

II Peter 2: 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Those are no doubt, not all of the scriptures that warn us against the perils of worldliness, but they do show conclusive evidence that we must be vigilant against the constant allure of the world to our carnal/fleshly desires. Worldliness can come in many different forms: They types of entertainment we partake of, the type of apparel we wear, the type of music we listen to, the literature we read, the philosophies that we employ, the methods of dealing with people and relationships,etc etc. We sometimes can get into trouble, and stumble into legalism if we're not careful, by trying to define every jot and tittle as to what is worldly and what is not. But I would suggest to you that most areas are not as "gray" as our modern Christian culture would lead us to believe. How is that now things that were viewed as "sinful" thirty years ago, are now acceptable. Of course fashions change, tastes in music, technology, etc., but if something was considered wrong by our forefathers, are we now more enlightened in this last day? The scriptures declare that in the end times (II Tim 3:7) men would be "ever learning" but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

In conclusion:

The Christian must always be on guard against the constant temptations of the world to conform to it's image and lifestyle. In I Corinthians 5:10 the apostle Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost) explained that it was impossible to be totally apart from the world, without dying. I do not believe that it is the Lord's intent that we go lock ourselves away from society, and withdraw from any social contact. We are called to be salt and light, and in order to act as a preservative in society, we must not totally recoil from civilization. However, the Lord does expect us to keep ourselves from compromising and being unequally yoked with the world. This passage speaks volumes to me:

II Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 6:15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 6:16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 6:18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Separation from the world is still a controversial issue in our day. The modern/ liberal church has the idea that we must become just like the world in order to win it. It's interesting that the Laodicean church of Revelation is a perfect match for the church of the day. The name Laodicea means "ruled by the people." In many cases, it is difficult to tell the difference between the modern church and the world. When we lay aside true biblical convictions in order to win the world, we have to consider this question: Have we really won the world for Christ, or has the world won us?

Something to think about for sure!

God bless you as you study His word!