WHAT IS WORLDLINESS

The apostle John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). To what world is the inspired writer referring? The term “worldliness” is derived from the usage of the word “world” as it is written in Scripture. “World” can have several different references according to the context of the passage in which it is used. The word “world” can refer to the material creation. There are passages that define the word in this context (Acts 17:24; 14:15). Is this the “world” to which John said was forbidden by God to love? Certainly not! One can be certain of this because the Bible tells its reader that by the beauty and power of the creation we can know God is real and alive. Notice, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Why would God forbid man to love what He created?

“World” can refer to the world’s inhabitants (John 3:16; 17:20-21; 1 John 2:2). Is this the “world” in which God commanded not to love? Again, no! God loved the inhabitants of the world so much He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). With that in mind, He charged Christians to, “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The Gospel plan of salvation would not move through the land of God’s creation without love for its inhabitants.

“World” also can refer to the presence of evil in the world (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 5:4). Is it this usage of the word “world” of which God said not to love? Emphatically, yes! The “world” in this context speaks of presence of evil that resides within the confines of the physical world. The warning from God not to love such things is given because He makes it abundantly clear that love for God and love for the world cannot exist from the same heart, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). If this be true, and it is, how can one be a participant or even condone such things as immoral entertainment, pornography, homosexuality, social drinking, pride and envy, covetousness, anger and wrath, and corrupt speech?