What does the term ‘worldliness’ mean to us as believers? Also how can we avoid the traps and distractions the enemy of our soul uses to enslave people and draw them away from their love and devotion to the Father and Lord Jesus Christ?
Many, especially, in the West, have been caught up with the cares of life, and lust of other things, as Jesus revealed in His parable of the Sower.
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. Mark 4:19 NKJV
These ‘believers’ have become what the apostle James called, “adulterers and adulteresses” going after their love affair with the world and all it has to offer.
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. James 4:4
We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Jesus made it clear, throughout His earthly ministry, His true disciples were not of this world.
This does not mean we check out from earthly responsibilities, like family, work, business, or stewardship of the blessings God has given us for this life (2 Peter 1:3) and move into some type of monastic lifestyle. It means we are not in love with anything the world offers.
Jesus told His disciples:
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19 MKJV
I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:14 MKJV
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:16 MKJV
Jesus taught His followers to forsake all to embrace His ways and seek the Kingdom of God above all else. He wants His disciples to have their hearts set on the Kingdom of God and not this world’s system. He made it plain no one could be double-minded and follow Him completely.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NKJV
If the world is your treasure, that will be your constant craving.
The apostle John also echoed these truths when he wrote:
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, because 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. 1 John 2:15-16
Do you see this trend becoming more prevalent in the Church? Can you identify areas of your life where you have become worldly minded? Are you caught up with ungodly movies, Pop shows, music and other worldly entertainment that has dulled your spiritual senses and weakened your walk with the Lord? Can you see how this mindset has crept into our churches and Christian circles and become the norm?
I was teaching along these lines at a Bible College in Southern California many years ago. A woman voluntarily stood up and confessed she had been hooked on Soap Opera TV shows, and stated they made her feel sensual. Her transparency was rather astonishing but definitely drove home the point I was making from Scripture.
It is impossible to open our hearts and minds to this type of entertainment without being spiritually and mentally tarnished. We become what we continually behold.
Along with the ungodly strongholds of worldliness, there is also a spiritual apathy and indifference prevalent with those who have been entangled. This indifference is rooted in selfishness, prayerlessness, and unpreparedness for what’s ahead in the earth.
However, the Father, in His mercy and grace, will do what is necessary to awaken and free His people from every enslaving bondage. When we repent, and turn to Him, He will help us revive so we can be fruitful in His Kingdom.
There are those who believe God is seldom concerned about what we do. They suppose all He requires is a lip service profession of Jesus Christ as our Savior. This is totally contrary to sound biblical teaching. Remember our last posts? Faith without works (corresponding actions) is dead. Here are more passages to validate this truth.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."
Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU." "I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
It matters to God what we do and how we conduct our lives.
Jesus lived in this world, but He was separated unto the Father and never loved this worldly system. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, he said he would give Jesus “the kingdoms of the world” if He would bow down to worship him. Of course, Jesus rebuked him and told him only God is to be worshipped.
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.' " Matthew 4:8-10
You and I are faced with decisions everyday to be more like Christ or conform to this world. The apostle Paul warned believers about this.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
The world is passing away. Invest your life in that which will never pass away.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17
Most of today’s media platforms are grabbing for our attention to take us away from the things that really matter and to mold us after this world. Whether TV, radio, or the internet, most of the content is opposite of Christian values and morals. What we watch, listen to, and partake of is vitally important both now and for eternity. If what we are engrossed in keeps our minds focused on this world, we are jeopardizing our relationship with God.
Again, this no way implies we are not to be focused on being excellent at our jobs or business. This is acceptable to God is service to His glory (Ephesians 6:5-9). Working at your job or business as unto the Lord and being in love with the world are two very different things.
If we are in love with the glitter and bling of this world, we will miss out on all the Father has planned for us. No, I am not saying you cannot have nice things, such as homes, cars, clothing, but they should never be your focus or consume your thoughts and affections. Only God deserves our constant focus, praise, and adoration. We appreciate all He gives us in this life, but if He calls us to give it up to follow Him, we must be prepared to obey.
Only what we do for Christ will last. Follow Him! Let your affection for Him and His words grow in your heart. Be in the world, but not of it; chasing after vain things that will leave you empty inside.
More next week. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, richly bless and keep you!
James Brown
CST 08/18/2023