THE WORLD

What is the World? The dictionary definition of “worldly” is “relating to, or devoted to, the temporal world.” Worldliness, then, is the condition of being concerned with worldly affairs, especially to the neglect of spiritual things. The Bible has a great deal to say about worldliness, none of it good

The world then is a system, a paradigm, a philosophy.

It is important to understand that the origin of a worldly paradigm is man. It is in sharp contrast to Godly wisdom. It competes with true understanding.

Godly wisdom vs. worldly knowledge: The epistles depict worldliness as the exact opposite of godliness. Worldly wisdom is really the absence of wisdom.(Foolishness) Godly wisdom comes from the Father primarily through His word.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Paul equates worldliness with spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he addresses the believers in the church of Corinth in regard to their worldly behavior. They were were spiritual babies who could not understand the deep things of God that Paul wished to share with them. They had never progressed past learning the basics of the faith and were seemingly content to remain there. This lack of maturity led to their worldly behavior. They quarreled among themselves as to which of them was greater because of whom they followed (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 3:4), when in reality they followed no one, following instead their own lusts and desire to elevate themselves above others. Paul exhorted them to grow up and mature in the faith.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. 1 Corinthians 3:18,19 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who [m] are perishing, but to us who [n] are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, A ND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 1 Corinthians 1:18,19mn

What does God’s heart say about us and the world? Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever 1John 2:15-17

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:4,5

For the Christian, the choice is clear. Avoid worldliness Become mature in the faith! There are consequences.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. John 15:18,19

The Lord has delivered us from the world but sends us into it.

13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:13-19

Study to show yourself approved: 2 Timothy 2:15 1.The word 2.Prayer 3.The fellowship of the saints 4.Exercising your faith