Scripture states that “…the one called Devil, and Satan…” is shown to be the one “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) The apostle John said that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) He is therefore “the ruler of this world.” (John 12:31) That is why James wrote that “the friendship with the world is enmity with God.”-James 4:4.
Jesus told his disciples: “If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you. …If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:19,　20) The simple truth is that the only way to have the world’s friendship is to become like it- to share its desires, ambitions, and prejudices, to admire its thinking and philosophies, and to take up its practices and ways. But supporters of this world resent having their errors exposed or being warned of the dangers to which their course is leading. That is why, if a person follows the Bible’s teachings in conduct and manner of life and speaks in favor of it, he simply cannot escape the world’s hatred.-John 17:14; 2　Timothy 3:12.
Our having God’s friendship depends upon much more than our belonging or not belonging to certain organizations of the world’s. If we manifest the world’s spirit, share its viewpoint of life, then we identify ourselves as friends of the world, not of God. The world’s spirit produces “works of the flesh” such as “fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.” The Bible clearly says that “those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” On the other hand, if we are God’s friends, we will have his spirit with its fruits of “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”-Galatians 5:19-23.
The spirit we reflect will help us to determine whose friends we really are. Living as we do, subject to the influence of this present evil world, we should not be surprised to find a need for changes in our lives in order to please God. Worldly people, for example, heap honor and glory on those whose ambitious drive leads them to great wealth, power, or fame. People pattern themselves after such worldly heroes and idols, imitating them in speech, conduct, appearance, and dress. We do not want to be identified as an admirer of such people. Their achievements are just the opposite of what God’s Word urges us to make our goals in life. The Bible directs us to spiritual wealth and strength and the honor of serving as God’s representatives and spokesmen on earth. (1　Timothy 6:17-19; 2　Timothy 1:7,　8; Jeremiah 9:23,　24) The world’s commercial propaganda turns people to materialism, to believing that happiness depends on possessions. So they give these far greater importance than things of spiritual value. Yes, following the world’s course will gain the world’s friendship for you. But it will cut you off from God’s friendship. Make your mind over what course will lead to greater and more enduring happiness.
It is easy to give in to the world’s pattern. And, because of its bad spirit, supporters of this world will resent it if you take a separate course. (1　Peter 4:3,　4) Pressures will be brought on you to conform, to let worldly human society mold you into its likeness. The world’s wisdom, its philosophies as to what brings success in life, will be used in an effort to control your thinking. So, it takes real effort and faith to ‘make your mind over’ to see things from God’s viewpoint, understanding why ‘the wisdom of this world is foolishness in his sight.’ (Romans 12:2; 1　Corinthians 1:18-20; 2:14-16; 3:18-20) By diligent study of God’s Word we can see through the world’s false wisdom. We can see the harm already resulting from such “wisdom,” and the disastrous end to which it must lead. Then we can also come to appreciate fully the wisdom of God’s way and the sure blessings that it guarantees.
Some, however, may object: “But many of the organizations of the world do good, working for the protection, health, education, and freedom of the people.” True, certain organizations do give some temporary relief from a few of the people’s troubles. Yet they are all part of the world alienated from God. And they turn the people’s attention toward perpetuating this present system of things. None of them advocate God’s government for earth, his Kingdom by his Son. After all, even some criminals may raise families, provide for them, and do charitable works for the community. But these things do not justify giving our support to criminal organizations in any way.-Compare 2　Corinthians 6:14-16.
