WHAT IS 'WORLDLINESS' ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE?

WHAT IS 'WORLDLINESS' ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE?

Worldliness is a term used in the Bible to describe an attitude or perspective that is focused on the temporal, material things of this world rather than on eternal, spiritual matters. It is often associated with selfishness, pride, and an excessive desire for wealth, power, and pleasure. 

Here are a few Bible verses and explanations that speak to the concept of worldliness:

James 4:4 - "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

In this verse, James is warning believers about the dangers of being too closely aligned with the values and priorities of the world. He uses the metaphor of adultery to illustrate how being too attached to the world is like cheating on God. By prioritizing worldly things over spiritual things, we risk losing our relationship with God.

1 John 2:15-17 - "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

Here, John echoes James' warning about loving the things of the world too much. He identifies three specific areas where worldliness tends to manifest itself: the lust of the flesh (physical desires), the lust of the eyes (material possessions), and the pride of life (human accomplishments and status). John reminds us that these things are temporary and fleeting, whereas obedience to God's will leads to eternal life.

Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

In this verse, Paul encourages believers to resist the temptation to conform to the values and expectations of the world around them. Instead, he calls us to be transformed by renewing our minds through the power of the Holy Spirit. By aligning our thoughts and priorities with God's will, we become better equipped to discern what is truly good and pleasing to Him.

Overall, worldliness is a pervasive temptation for all people, but particularly for those who seek to follow Christ. By keeping our focus on eternal things and seeking to do God's will, we can resist the pull of the world and grow in our relationship with Him.