1st. John 2:15-17 and John 17:13-19
Definition of Worldliness:
Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the
lust of the eyes (a constant desire for the finer things of life), and the
pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have
done. Sort of a puffed up view of ourselves compared to others.) Worldliness
elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; with contentment never to
found. Too many people think that worldliness is something limited to external
behavior. Others think worldliness is hanging out with the wrong kinds of
people. Worldliness is a wrong attitude of the heart that indicates a lack of a
totally consuming love and trust for the Lord.
It has been said that there are Nine Marks
of Worldliness - and they all start with the letter “P” - pride, selfish pleasures, possessions,
popularity, power, position, people pleasing, and privilege (all of which are
for selfish reasons)The Bible uses the word “world” in various different ways:
o The physical planet…mountains, tree, grass, rivers, etc.
o The people on the planet.
o False religions, lifestyles & values and attitudes in opposition to God and His Word…this is what John means by the “world” here.
Someone once said that “living for the world is like rearranging the furniture on the Titanic.” The Titanic IS going down. The Bible says “This world and all therein is doomed to destruction” as well.
One of the things I haven’t done since leaving Wisconsin is fishing. I love to fish…and some of the best fishing is in Wisconsin. There I had 27 lakes within 20 miles of my first church. I had several poles and reels for different types of fishing…and a tackle box. A tackle box of course is filled with lures. The world in which we live is filled with lures that Satan uses to lure us away from God. He entices us, and tempts us, and points to our natural or fleshly desires and says “Come on, you know you really want this!” What are the characteristics of a lure? (Brightly colored; attractive; spinners for added attraction) If you are hungry, it offers fulfillment; If you are bored, it offers excitement; If you are sick & tired, it offers to make you feel better; It offers pleasure and satisfaction…The problem with lures is the hooks!… I have noticed that sometimes, when the fish realizes it is hooked, it fights and fights, and if it is strong enough, it breaks the line…but, sometimes the hook is too deep….
In these three verses it is God, through the pen of John, who points out three of the world’s best lures. These are the ones used most often and with the most success, that have earned the right to be in the top of the tackle box! They have hooked more fish than any others;
1. The “cravings of sinful man” ( whatever makes me happy and a self-indulgent desire to be #1 no matter what I have to do to get there.)
2. The lure of the “lust of the eyes”…which can be a couple of things; ( A pre-occupation with physical desires ) - ( or the lure of materialism or craving and accumulating things - which is covetousness.)
3. The lure of “pride” or “boasting” ( whatever makes me look good, and seeks reward, and whether purposely or not, puts others down.) These are Satan’s three best lures.
Most people have the idea that “worldliness” is external; in other words something we can see, the people we associate with, the places we go, or the things we participate in, or even the things we have. However, these things - maybe because they are external things - are “legalistic”. In other words they are a adherence to certain manmade rules or conduct, in order to live up to mans idea of what a Christian looks and acts like. But, the truth of God’s Word tells us that while “man sees the outside or external things, God sees the heart.” We have a tendency to look at what a person may have or what a person may do, and say “surely they can’t be a Christian” Just because they have a lot of things; or just because they wear flashy clothes; or just because they play cards or go dancing or don’t fit our mold in some other way. “God sees the heart” means that He knows our attitude toward these things, and He knows if they are “of the world”… And so, we must start not by looking at outward symptoms, but by digging down to our very hearts, and looking there. What are the desires of my heart? What does my heart find satisfaction in, and what do I put my confidence in, and what brings me comfort? Is it in this temporary earthly life and the things that belong to it? …Or, is it in God and His blessing and plan and purpose for my life and the life to come?
When we become Christians and understand the things of God…And, we read things like Paul telling us we must “put off the old self”… we need to remember that he also says “and put on the new self”. If we give up or “put off” something in our lives, it leaves a void, and if we do not fill that void with something else, Satan will constantly tempt us to re-fill it with the things of the world. We call that “backsliding.” So, we if we give up worldly attitudes, we must fill up with Godly attitudes. If we put off worldly thinking, we need to put on godly thinking, and so on. So, as we’ve seen, love for the world and love for God cannot mix…they do not, and cannot, live together in the same spirit. Again, only God fits in that God-shaped hole. Love for the world and love of God are like oil and water…they’re like twinkies and broccoli. – things that just don’t go together. We cannot truly love God and love the world at the same time. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters.” Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. Let me put it this way; “It is right for the church to be in the world; it is wrong for the world to be in the church. A boat in the water is good; that is what boats are for…However, water inside the boat causes it to sink.” Love for the world pushes out love for God, but the opposite is also true; a love for God will and should, push out love for the world.”
In verse 17, John gives us two clues as to why this is important to us. First, he says; because “the world and its desires pass away”… Things in and of this world die, rust and moth destroy, they get old, they wear out, they are stolen, or lost, and as we have seen in the last two weeks, they are destroyed by nature itself and gone in an instant. How important are things, and fame or fortune, when life is on the line?
Second, he says “the man who does the will of God lives forever”…In other words, it’s the eternal things - the things done for God - and out of love for God - the treasures in heaven - that are truly important.
It is not wrong to have things, it is wrong when things have you! It’s not wrong to be wealthy, it’s wrong when decisions and attitudes are influenced by wealth rather than God. It is not wrong to desire better things in life, it is wrong when the success of our lives is defined by the world’s view and not by God’s view.
So, basically, it comes down to a look within, to see what God sees… if our desires and motives are selfish and worldly… it could mean that we have been hooked. We need to recognize the lures of the world for what they really are, and learn to see the hook! Take home this thought with you today; “God is able and will provide for our every need. His Word even says he will “give us the desires of our hearts” but, God will never tempt us in any way… James 1:13 reads - “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone but each one is tempted when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”…. learn to see the hook!
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