The course of rebellion against God may be very gradual, but it increases in rapidity as you progress in it; and if you begin to run down the hill, the ever-increasing impetus will send you down faster and faster to destruction. Christians ought to watch against the beginning of worldly conformity. The growth of worldliness is like strife, which is as the letting out of water. Once you begin, there is no knowing where you will stop (Spurgeon) Mk.7:…21-23

I What Is The World? 1.That which serves to beautify through decoration, adornment, adorning. 1 Pt.3:3 2.The sum total of everything here and now, the world, the (orderly) universe. Ph.2:15 3.Planet earth as a place of inhabitation, the world. Ro.1:8

4. Humanity in general, the world. Ro.3:6, 19 The system of human existence in its many aspects 5. The system of human existence in its many aspects a.As scene of earthly joys, possessions, cares, sufferings, Mt.16:26 b.All that is hostile to God, wholly at odds w. anything divine b.All that is hostile to God, wholly at odds w. anything divine. Jn. 8:23; 8:44 and 12:31

II Christians Are Different Jn.17:15 –We must be in the world; we must not let the world get into us “We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkably similar in both groups” –George Gallup: “We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkably similar in both groups”

Ro.12:1-2 –“…Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within…” –“…Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within…” (Phillips) –The battle rages between our ears inside outside –The gospel changes the inside (transforms our thoughts), and these affect the outside (no longer conformed to this world)

Tit.2:11-12, deny… Grace is a teacherGrace is a teacher (used of total training of a child) “The most difficult part of the training of young men is not to put the right thing into them, but to get the wrong thing out of them”“The most difficult part of the training of young men is not to put the right thing into them, but to get the wrong thing out of them” deny conditions of graceSome “deny” the wrong thing (the conditions of grace, as v.12; Ro.6)

Ja.4:4, friend of the world –“The world’s smiles are more dangerous than its frowns” 1 Pt.4:1-4, strange… –“Worldliness is what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange”

1 Pt.4:1-4 the same mind… –1, the same mind… “the content of mental processing, thought, knowledge, insight” Suffering makes us better or bitterSuffering makes us better or bitter –4, “they” think too!

1 Jn.2:15-17, choose your course 1 Jn.5:3-4 Worldall forces antagonistic to spiritual life –“World” here = all forces antagonistic to spiritual life –Our defense: we overcome through faith Everything depends on what we believe! Ro.10:17

III To Be Different, We Must Recognize Worldliness 1. Wrong priorities 1. Wrong priorities : putting things of this world first, Mt.6:33 –Some do not deliberately shut the Lord out of their lives, but… –1 Jn.2:16; 3:17, goods, possessions

Thingitis “Thingitis” –Distorts reality; produces amnesia –The “tyranny of the urgent” demands their attention; spiritual things lag behind –No time for Bible study (or even to listen to a sermon) –No time for gospel meetings –They know that drunkards, adulterers, and liars are going to hell, but... –Lk.14:16-24

2. Wrong emphasis 2. Wrong emphasis, Jn.6:26-29 –27, Jesus often states principles in absolutes (2 Th.3:10) –Jesus, the Bread of Life, in their very presence Jn.18:38 –Most people focus on the wrong goals. Ph.3:14

3. Wrong attitude 3. Wrong attitude, Ro.8:5 according to the flesh set minds on –They live according to the flesh because they set minds on flesh Think, concentrate on; be controlled by, relishThink, concentrate on; be controlled by, relish 6-7, carnally minded mentality, outlook; a mind devoted to flesh, intent on… 8, “those who are in the flesh”

Ro.8:5b, the test of spirituality –Where is your mind? What do you think about? –6, spiritually minded It affects your attitude, speech, dress, activities

4. Wrong desires 4. Wrong desires, Ph.3:18-19 –Mind earthly things instead of heavenly –These libertines celebrate their “liberty” in Christ at the expense of holy duties –Instead of controlling the flesh, they indulge it

5. Wrong effort 5. Wrong effort, Hb.5:12-14 –Interest for other things crowds out spiritual growth –Milk is not bad, but...

6. Wrong goals 6. Wrong goals, 1 Pt.3:3-4 –Stress outward appearance over inward character –Worldly Christians put low value on spiritual things, high value on worthless things They live w. mixed up price tags –Mt.16:26