The world is out of joint or maybe I just don’t fit in.”
–Zane Grey (Wyoming)
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
–2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Go back and contemplate verses 2:15-27 of 1 John. There are a few key phrases there that we need to identify if we are to survive in this wicked world.
First, “Do not love the world…” The world is not the natural or physical world. It does not mean the life of the world in general–family relationships. It is not the state nor is it a career or engaging in business. What does John then mean when he speaks of “the world”?
The “world” in this phrase means the organization and mind and the outlook of mankind as it ignores God and does not recognize Him. It can be broken down into four parts: 1) man thinking he is independent upon God; 2) life based upon the world system (i.e., woke, cancel culture, globalism, etc.); 3) man give little or no thought to God only of self; and 4) the person who thinks in the terms of time.
Second, there are three categories of sin. They have to do with lust, and lust defined here is an inordinate affection or desire; the abuse of something which is natural and legitimate. Those in the world will lust after things that were made proper and right and attempt to abuse them.
The first of these is the “lust of the flesh.” The flesh is that which comes from nature, from our physical bodies. The person who lusts after the flesh lives only for sensual gratification (i.e., food, drink, sex, etc.) The abuse of natural things and they find themselves being controlled by them.
The second of these is the “lust of the eyes.” This person lives by false values. They judge on appearances–seeing, imagining, thinking. They are full of vanity and love the pomp and appearance; the outward show of things. Interesting how much entertainment has entered the church–false values, the outward show. The lust of the eyes causes a person to covet “things.”
Finally there is the “pride of life.” This can start out very subtly but then will magnify as time goes on unless there is real repentance. The “pride of life” consists of self-glorification. They are ambitious to the expense of hurting others and in fact will find real contempt of others and their success. The love the pride of influence based on wealth, power, position, appearance, etc. They have the attitude “I belong to …” (fill in the blank: such and such a family, such a special club, such a fraternity…) There is a subtle danger of those who denounce the sins of the flesh becoming guilty of the pride of life; a “I’m so proud I’m humble” attitude. Notice how this was present in the fall of Lucifer.
John finishes this portion saying that, “the love of the Father is not in him.” He is incompatible with the things of God. What he wants and wishes are contrary to the serving of a holy God. The person who loves the world does not understand the principles of sin. He does not realize that sin, and this world, will be destroyed–they are not part of eternity. It is the person who does the will of God that “will live forever.”
Yet, often, far too often we find ourselves following after the world. We need to take inventory of our lives. Why do we do the things we do? Are we becoming part of the world system, or are we serving a righteous God and following His will?
Do not wander back to the darkness, but walk in the light following the Holy Spirit as He guides by the Word of God.