Worldliness
“Kosmos, the world system; worldliness is kosmikos, oriented toward this present age”
Summary
Worldliness is the disposition that prioritizes temporal, material, and earthly concerns over spiritual realities and fellowship with God.
☩Nature of Worldliness
John identifies the constituent elements of worldliness: the lust of the flesh (appetite for physical gratification), the lust of the eyes (desire for material possessions and display), and the pride of life (false confidence and boastful self-sufficiency). The world's pull is primarily through desire it excites and the false security it inspires. When life is not inspired by love for God, it inevitably becomes worldly—the relatively good displaces the absolutely good, and temporal uses become chains binding life to the lower.
☩Biblical Warnings
Jesus warned that cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches choke the word and make it unfruitful. One cannot serve God and mammon. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Paul warns against being conformed to this world and describes those whose god is their belly and who mind earthly things. The rich fool who stored up treasures for himself but was not rich toward God exemplifies worldly folly.
☩Overcoming Worldliness
Scripture does not call for withdrawal from the world but for transformation of heart while living in it. The world in one sense belongs to the Christian as a system of divinely appointed duties and opportunities for developing Christian character. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. The key is setting affections on things above, not on things of earth, living as strangers and pilgrims whose citizenship is in heaven.
Related Verses86 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Worldliness," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Worldliness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).