By the
Reverend
The
purpose of this document is to present the fallen world system as defined in
the Bible and show its direct opposition to the holiness and purity that God requires
of his followers. Since the Bible is the
complete revelation of God to man, the vast quantity of scripture dealing with
the world and worldly behavior should reveal the relevance of this topic for
the Christian.
First of
all, let’s establish the general idea that the world is directly opposed to God
and vice versa with a few verses:
James 4:4
4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to
be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1 John 2:15-17
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world--the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has
and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world
and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Titus 2:11-12
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
in this present age,
The next
step is to identify what the world is in the Bible. Here are 7 important points to remember:
1) The
world is not the same as the earth
Genesis 1:1
1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:28-31
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the
face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will
be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the
birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-everything that
has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food." And it
was so.
31 God saw all that he had
made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was
morning-the sixth day.
The earth
includes all of God’s creation, which he was perfectly pleased with (Genesis
1:31). When I speak of the world in this
document, do not be confused with the earth.
2) The Greek word translated world is “kosmos”
Here are some of the meanings for this Greek word given at www.blueletterbible.com:
1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or
constitution, order, government 2) the
world, the universe 3) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family 4)
the ungodly multitude 5) the whole mass of men alienated from God, and
therefore hostile to the cause of Christ 6) world affairs, the aggregate of
things earthly the whole circle of
earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although
hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles
to the cause of Christ
3) The ruler of the
world
1 John 5:19
19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Matthew 4:8
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all
the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will
give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written:
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[4]
"
4) The world system is not eternal
1 Corinthians 7:31
31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For
this world in its present form is
passing away.
1 John 2:17
17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives
forever.
Revelation 11:15
15The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven,
which said:
"The kingdom of
the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and
ever."
5) The New Testament makes a clear distinction
between Christians and the world.
John 1:10
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
John 8:23
23But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this
world. 24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do
not believe that I am the one I claim to be,[1]
you will indeed die in your sins."
John 14:16-17
16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be
with you forever-- 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[3]
in you.
John 15:19
19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
John 17:9
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but
for those you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:14
14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I
am of the world.
John 17:25
25"Righteous Father, though the
world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
Galatians 4:1-7
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no
different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is
subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So
also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic
principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God
sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those
under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because
you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who
calls out, "Abba,[1]
Father." 7So you are no
longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an
heir.
Ephesians 2:1-5
1As for you, you were dead in
your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you
followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the
spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of
us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature[1]
and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is
rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
1 John 3:1
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
5) The world is corrupting and polluting
James 1:27
27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to
look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
2 Peter 2:20-21
20If they have escaped the corruption
of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again
entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at
the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their
backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Verse 20 makes it clear that knowing Jesus Christ as Lord
AND Savior is THE way to escape the world’s corruption. The option is not given to have a saving
relationship with Jesus and remain in the world’s control!
2 Peter 1:3-4
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through
these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through
them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
6) The Christian must not conform to the world’s
pattern, principles, viewpoint, standards, lusts, cravings, desires, boastings,
passions, etc
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer 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.
Colossians 2:20
20Since you died with Christ to
the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to
it, do you submit to its rules
5They are from the world and
therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God
listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how
we recognize the Spirit[1]
of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
1 Corinthians 10:2-5
2I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to
be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The
weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they
have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we
take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6And we
will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is
complete.
1 John 2:15-17
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes
not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires
pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Titus 2:11-12
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
in this present age,
1 Timothy 6:7-9
7For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out of it. 8But
if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People
who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
These verses make it clear that Christians are called to
separate themselves from the world.
Here’s an example of a believer who deserted Paul’s ministry because of
a love for the world:
2 Timothy 4:10
10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to
Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
7) The Bible calls Christians to purity and
holiness. This means to be free from any
worldly defilement and set apart for God.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this
instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1Peter 1:14-17
14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when
you lived in ignorance. 15But
just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for
it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[1]
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially,
live your lives as strangers here in reverent
fear.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness
and wickedness have in common? Or what
fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there
between Christ and Belial[2]
? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What
agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple
of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among
them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."[3]
17"Therefore
come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."[4]
18"I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and
daughters, says the Lord Almighty."[5]
1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,
perfecting holiness out of reverence
for God.
Hebrews 12:14
14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
2 Peter 3:11-14
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people
ought you to be? You ought to live holy
and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and
speed its coming.[2]
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the
elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we
are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless,
blameless and at peace with him.
Ephesians 5:1-17
1Be imitators of God,
therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just
as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's
holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse
joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of
this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an
idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[1]
6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things
God's wrath comes on those who are
disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for
the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and
find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is
shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light
that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how
you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be
foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Philippians 4:8-9
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think
about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard
from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.
2 Corinthians 11:2-3
2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one
husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3But I am afraid that just as Eve
was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure
devotion to Christ.
1 John 3:1-3
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not
know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are
children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know
that when he appears,[1]
we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who
has this hope in him purifies himself,
just as he is pure.
Ezekiel 20:7-8
7 And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of
Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
8 " 'But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me;
they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did
they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them
and spend my anger against them in Egypt.
Isaiah 52:11
11 Depart, depart, go out from there!
Touch no unclean thing!
Come out from it and be pure,
you who carry the vessels of the LORD
Psalm 101:3-8
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
him will I not endure.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless
will minister to me.
7 No one who practices deceit
will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
will stand in my presence.
The gospel
message is foolishness to the world. The
Holy Spirit must operate in man to bring a conviction of sin and understand the
need to receive God’s mercy through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
18For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is
the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I
will frustrate."[3]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the
philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For
since in the wisdom of God the world
through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the
foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may
understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we
speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.[3]
14The man without the Spirit
does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
The world
must first respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction of guilt for breaking God’s law. Only from this
position can it accept Christ.
John 16:7-8
7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.
Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send
him to you. 8When he comes,
he will convict the world of guilt[1]
in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
Even
though Christians should not love the world system and the world does not
understand the Christian, we still have an important job to do here.
John 17:14-19
14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are
not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not
that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil
one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify[2]
them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the
world, I have sent them into the world.
19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Even God
himself loves the world – the people that is and not the sinful desires, lusts,
distractions from God, etc.
John 3:16-17
16"For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,[6]
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him.
So what
exactly is our purpose in the world as Christians?
Matthew 5:13-16
13"You are the salt of the
earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light
of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same
way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven.
We need to
stand out and have a positive effect on others, just as salt brings out the best
flavor in food. And we can become light
to others by speaking up when we should, standing up to the crowd when
necessary, setting a model for others by our Christ-like behavior, helping
those in need, etc.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral
people-- 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are
immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have
to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not
associate with anyone who calls himself
a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a
drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?
Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside.
"Expel the wicked man from among you."[2]
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5:5
5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
With all this in mind, should a Christian enjoy secular media?