What is 'worldly'? Definition of 'worldly'?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Hevosmies

Hevosmies

Well-known member
#1
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
#1
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1Jn 2:15-16 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.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In light of verses like this, it would be great to define what is worldly? Are video games worldly? For sure. I dont think anyone would disagree. Are TV-shows worldly? Yes. But what about if its a documentary, or the news? Its still worldly, but i dont see anything wrong with keeping up with news, I just "feel" thats different, I know thats not a strong argument, maybe someone can relate to what i mean by that.

Is going to secular concerts worldly? DEFINATELY. Is playing basketball worldly? Yes. But just like watching the news, I dont see much wrong with it. I wouldnt say its "sin". Secular concerts have an atmosphere NOT fit for christian people for sure. Anyone who has ever been to them knows what im talking about.

So there are shades of grey here. What sayeth ye? WHAT IS WORLDLY; EXACTLY?
 
jameen

jameen

Senior Member
#2
Feb 5, 2018
540
150
43
37
Manila
#2
These are the things that God and man never created. they came from the devil.

James 3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

No wonder because the devil is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)
 
TabinRivCA

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
#3
Oct 23, 2018
13,110
10,670
113
#3
Hevosmies said:
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1Jn 2:15-16 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.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In light of verses like this, it would be great to define what is worldly? Are video games worldly? For sure. I dont think anyone would disagree. Are TV-shows worldly? Yes. But what about if its a documentary, or the news? Its still worldly, but i dont see anything wrong with keeping up with news, I just "feel" thats different, I know thats not a strong argument, maybe someone can relate to what i mean by that.

Is going to secular concerts worldly? DEFINATELY. Is playing basketball worldly? Yes. But just like watching the news, I dont see much wrong with it. I wouldnt say its "sin". Secular concerts have an atmosphere NOT fit for christian people for sure. Anyone who has ever been to them knows what im talking about.

So there are shades of grey here. What sayeth ye? WHAT IS WORLDLY; EXACTLY?
Click to expand...
Could it be the 'fallen' state we're in and yes I think that might include cheering for sports teams. 1 Jn 2:16 refers to the lust of the flesh & the pride of life. So possibly Adam n Eve are Spirits and when they fell they became flesh and made clothing. That seems very strict to just be 'in the Spirit', so this, just my thoughts.
 
MessageOfTheCross

MessageOfTheCross

Senior Member
#4
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#4
If the Cross of Christ is not strictly the Object of our Faith, God looks at everything else as "worldliness." No matter how religious our efforts may be otherwise, it is still looked at by the Lord as "friendship with the world." This means the Believer in essence becomes an "enemy of God."

JSM
 
GraceAndTruth

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
#5
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
113
#5
Worldly things are those that oppose God in any way. Thought, word and deed.
 
L

louis

Senior Member
#7
Nov 1, 2017
1,102
86
48
#7
Hevosmies said:
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1Jn 2:15-16 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.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In light of verses like this, it would be great to define what is worldly? Are video games worldly? For sure. I dont think anyone would disagree. Are TV-shows worldly? Yes. But what about if its a documentary, or the news? Its still worldly, but i dont see anything wrong with keeping up with news, I just "feel" thats different, I know thats not a strong argument, maybe someone can relate to what i mean by that.

Is going to secular concerts worldly? DEFINATELY. Is playing basketball worldly? Yes. But just like watching the news, I dont see much wrong with it. I wouldnt say its "sin". Secular concerts have an atmosphere NOT fit for christian people for sure. Anyone who has ever been to them knows what im talking about.

So there are shades of grey here. What sayeth ye? WHAT IS WORLDLY; EXACTLY?
Click to expand...
The love for material goods is idolatry.
Technology is making available greater amounts of material goods daily.
This is what I believe represents the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 where the way of Satan is bringing about much greater levels of idolatry than in our predecessors time when there were far fewer things/idols to love.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
 
GraceAndTruth

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
#8
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
113
#8
Hevosmies said:
I agree. Could you give some practical examples?
Click to expand...
I can try to give examples

Thought - disagree with Gods word because it does not fit our ego
Word - putting those thoughts into the spoken word, teaching strange doctrine, leading others into apostasy
Deed - acting on personal desire instead of submitting to biblical instruction. For instance, I see people make excuses for remarrying after divorce while first husband is still living. (divorce is permitted, remarriage is not)

The woman should at least kill the old husband first, but then there is the other problem of "do not kill". Now I say that "tongue in cheek" so don't dump insult all over me. However, it is not easy to make right choices when our natural inclination is to satisfy the flesh and make excuses later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.