Do Not Love the World (1 Jn. 2:15-17)

John’s Plea: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” (1 Jn. 2:15) The Christian’s Relationship to the World: “…because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (Jn. 15:19) “…light of the world…” (Mat. 5:14) “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Tit. 2:11-12)

Worldliness Comes in 3 Forms: 1 John 2:16 (NKJV) 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Flesh? □ Yes □ No Romans 1:27 (NKJV) 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. “Flee sexual immorality….he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” (1 Cor. 6:18)

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Flesh? □ Yes □ No Galatians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Eyes? □ Yes □ No Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Eyes? □ Yes □ No Matthew 16:26 (NKJV) 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Eyes? □ Yes □ No 1 Timothy 2:9 (NKJV) 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,   1 Peter 3:3 (NKJV) 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

The Rich Kids of Instagram “Our everyday is better than your best day,” reads one caption, a bit tauntingly. And, “Do you have a horse in your backyard? Didn’t think so.”

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Lust of the Eyes? □ Yes □ No “…whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mat. 5:28)

Am I Worldly? (A Test For All of Us) Am I Infected With the Pride of Life? □ Yes □ No Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Galatians 6:3 “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

Worldliness Brings Us Into Bondage Lust of the Flesh: Romans 8:5–6 (NKJV) 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Worldliness Brings Us Into Bondage Lust of the Eyes: Mark 10:21–22 (NKJV) 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Worldliness Brings Us Into Bondage Pride of Life: John 12:42–43 (NKJV) 42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

You Are Going to Have to Make a Choice! (2 Timothy 4:10) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. (NKJV)

You Are Going to Have to Make a Choice! (James 4:4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NKJV)

One Final Sign of a Worldly Person: Making Excuses Luke 14:18–20 (NKJV) 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ What’s your excuse?