When Worry Becomes Worldly
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
1 John 2:15
Worldliness has been vastly misunderstood by many Christians. There are certain elements of daily life that are not sinful in themselves but that lead to sin if they are abused. Abuse literally means “overuse” or “misuse” of things lawful, which then become sin. Pleasure is lawful in its use, but unlawful in its overuse. Ambition is an essential part of true character, but it must be fixed on lawful objects and exercised in proper proportion.
Our daily occupation, reading, dress, friendships, and other similar phases of life are all legitimate and necessary—but can easily become illegitimate, harmful, and unnecessary. Thought about the necessities of life is absolutely essential, but this can easily degenerate into anxiety.
The making of money is necessary for daily living, but moneymaking is apt to degenerate into money-loving, and then the deceitfulness of riches enters in and spoils our spiritual lives.
Worldliness is not confined to any particular rank, walk, or circumstance of life. But worldliness is a spirit, an atmosphere, an influence, permeating the whole of life in human society, and it needs to be guarded against constantly and strenuously. The Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” It also warns that “the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17).
We must make an out-and-out stand for Christ. It does not mean that in society we are snobs or have a superiority complex, lest we be in danger of spiritual pride (which would be far worse than worldliness). But today there are so many professing Christians who are walking hand in hand with the world that it is difficult to tell the difference between the Christian and the sinner. Our lives must make it plain whose we are and whom we serve!
Our Father and our God, if I am to be extreme in any one area of my life, let me be extreme only in my love and service to You. Help everyone to know You are my passion, my vocation, and my avocation, my desire, and my obsession. I dedicate my life to You, Father, and I come to You through Jesus. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).