Friends with the World – Is This Dangerous for a Christian?

Let’s Dive In!!

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This is what God says about it. In James 4:4 we read: “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” And in 2 Corinthians 6:14 it says this: “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?”

Let’s look at the word “world” in the context it’s used. It’s not talking about the earth or the planet itself. What God is saying is “carnality, evil, lustful cravings, sin, false beliefs, false gods, worldly activities, lusts, wants, rebellion, basically all the things the world has to offer. We see in Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” And in 1 John 2:15-16 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

God has given us plenty of Scripture that makes it abundantly clear to not be part of this sinful worldly way of life, or be friends with it. We must remember that “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

We are the light brought to expose the dark and as a Christian we have to accept that. This is all part of becoming a seasoned Christian, understanding God’s word. Let’s go over one last scripture that will put the world in perspective.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Christian, you have to understand this, that we are foreigners, we are residents of Heaven, and we are here not to follow what the world follows after. We are here to lead people to Christ, love people where they are, help one another, love our neighbors as ourselves, share the love of God through acts of kindness, be selfless, become part of the body of Christ and serve, be a servant for our Lord, be the farmer, and plant seeds. Because friend, let me tell you, the work of God is so vast and the laborers are so few.

So friends with the world – no, but love the world – yes! Care for people’s souls, plant seeds, lead them to Christ, and do it through authentic unconditional love the kind of love that can only come through Christ.