1 John 2:14
There is a real distinction between worldliness and godliness. Do we make it a point to attack worldliness? Too many congregations are "soft-soaping" the topic of worldliness. Too many parents are disregarding their responsibility to avoid worldliness. Too many young people are simply making worldliness a way of life.
Why should Christians be concerned about worldliness?
1) Because we are not to be attached to the sinful devices of this world (John 17:14; Galatians 1:4; James 4:4; 2 Peter 1:4)
2) Because worldliness is of the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9; John 12:31; 1 John 5:19)
What is worldiness? (1 John 2:16)
In essence, it is the love of things of this world rather than a love of things spiritual. Worldliness relates to the body, to the mind, and to the heart. Worldliness is so dangerous because it attaches itself to our loves. Worldliness is anything that we love that keeps us from God. Wordliness intercepts our love. It keeps us from directing our love to areas where we ought to place it.
We certainly enjoy this world, because it is given to us by God for our use and pleasure. But how can we know if we are worldy?
1) If we are obsessed with the cares of this world. Having cares in this world is not wrong, but it can be made wrong. It is possible for us to be so consumed with a particular car or activity that we lose sight of our souls.
2) Fleshly passion. It wars against the soul. Uncontrolled passion will take our souls.
3) Misguided loyalty. Some Christians become so loyal to a given organization or club, that they, possibly without even realizing it, place more loyalty in that activity than toward Christ and the church.
4) Materialistic religion (Philippians 3:18-19). The following newspaper advertisement, published in a Nashville, Tennessee newspaper, more than adequately illustrates this point:
St. Ignatuius of Antioch Catholic Church will hold its annual "Monte-Carlo" night - a night of craps, black-jack, hi-lo, and other gambling games - tonight from 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.
There will also be a raffle with prizes of $500, a poker table, and a one-armed bandit. Guest dealers will include Reverends Bob Roeser, Ron Dickman, and Kevin Smith. Event tickets cost $3.
A mass at 5:30 p.m. will precede the event.
Helps in Overcoming Worldliness
Knowledge that overcoming is possible (1 John 5:4; Romans 8:37)
Storing up the word of God in our hearts (Psalms 119:11)
Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Fellowship with Christians (Colossians 3:12-17)
When worldliness is harbored up within a person, it will someday take hold and overcome a person. Do not allow worldliness to find lodging in your soul. Do not focus on things of a wordly nature. Focus instead on things spiritual.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
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.
Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
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.
2 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.
2 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.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1 John 2:16 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.
Philippians 3:18-19
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
