Wrestling with the World: Finding Our True North
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we turn our attention to a challenge that has confronted believers throughout the ages: worldliness. We find guidance in 1 John 2:15-17:
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
These words paint a stark contrast between the fleeting allure of the world and the enduring reality of God's kingdom.
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What is Worldliness?
Worldliness is not confined to a specific list of actions. It is a mindset, a posture of the heart. It encompasses:
• Participation in sin: A sphere of iniquity.
• Following passions: A life driven by desires rather than divine guidance.
• Conformity to the world: A lack of separation from its values and practices.
• Devotion to the temporal: A focus on earthly things rather than eternal realities.
While certain behaviors like drinking, cursing, or immodesty are clear manifestations of worldliness, a person can be worldly without engaging in all of them. It's about the heart's inclination.
The Spirit of Worldliness
Worldliness generates a particular spirit, characterized by:
• Softness towards the Word and preaching: A reluctance to embrace biblical truth and confront sin.
• Compromise on moral questions: A blurring of the lines between right and wrong.
• This softness of preaching is also described in Isa. 30:5 and Jer. 5:31; 6:14.
The Seriousness of Worldliness
Worldliness is not a trivial matter. It carries severe consequences:
• Separation from God: Sin creates a barrier between us and God (James 1:15; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 59:1-2).
• Loss of reputation and influence: Worldly behavior tarnishes our witness (Proverbs 22:1; 6:27, 33; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 4:12).
• Hindrance to worship: Unconfessed sin obstructs our communion with God (1 Peter 3:7; John 9:31).
• Desensitization to sin: Repeated exposure to worldly influences dulls our conscience (Psalm 1:1-3).
• Hardened heart: Persistent worldliness leads to spiritual apathy (Hebrews 6; 10; 1 John 5:18).
• Breeding other sins: Worldly desires often lead to a cascade of further transgressions (2 Samuel 11).
• Church discipline: Unrepentant worldliness can necessitate disfellowship (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).
• Hindrance to spiritual growth: Worldly distractions impede our progress in the Christian life (Hebrews 12:1-ff).
• Suffering in this life: God's discipline may bring consequences in this present age (Exodus 20:5; 34:7).
• Eternal damnation: Ultimately, unrepented worldliness leads to eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8).
The Christian Life Contrasted to Worldliness
The Christian life stands in stark contrast to worldliness:
• Holiness: We are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; 4:1-3).
• Purity: We are to purify ourselves as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3).
• Obedience to God's law: We live according to God's commands (1 John 3:4).
• Fear of God: We cultivate a reverent awe of God (1 Timothy 2:9).
• Rejection of continual sin: We strive to overcome sin (Romans 6; 1 John 3).
• Respect for God's Word: We treasure and obey God's Word (Psalm 119:11).
• Separation from the world: We are called to be distinct from the world's values (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
Finding Our True North
- Sermon on Idolatry: A Modern-Day Warning
- Sermon on Hannah’s Prayer
- Sermon on The Righteous Shall Live by Faith Habakkuk 2:1-20
To overcome worldliness, we must:
• Examine our hearts: What are the things that draw us away from God?
• Renew our minds: Fill our minds with God's Word and godly influences.
• Seek God's strength: Rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation.
• Cultivate fellowship: Surround ourselves with believers who encourage us in our walk with God.
Let us choose the path of righteousness, setting our hearts on the eternal, and finding our true north in Christ. Amen.
