Topical Encyclopedia
The term "worldly" in a biblical context often refers to attitudes, behaviors, and values that are characteristic of the secular world, as opposed to those that are aligned with the teachings and principles of God. The Bible frequently contrasts worldly pursuits with spiritual ones, urging believers to focus on eternal rather than temporal matters.
Biblical References:1.
Romans 12:2 · "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This verse highlights the call for Christians to resist adopting the patterns and values of the world, instead seeking transformation through spiritual renewal.
2.
1John 2:15-17 · "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever." Here, the apostle John warns against the love of worldly things, which are transient and contrary to the eternal nature of God's will.
3.
James 4:4 · "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." James uses strong language to emphasize the incompatibility of worldly alliances with a faithful relationship with God.
4.
Colossians 3:2 · "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This exhortation encourages believers to focus their thoughts and affections on heavenly matters rather than being preoccupied with earthly concerns.
Theological Implications:The concept of worldliness is often associated with a life that prioritizes material wealth, sensual pleasures, and social status over spiritual growth and obedience to God. It is seen as a distraction from the pursuit of holiness and a barrier to a deeper relationship with Christ. The Bible calls Christians to live in the world but not be of the world, maintaining a distinct identity that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.
Practical Applications:Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where worldly influences may have taken precedence over spiritual priorities. This includes evaluating entertainment choices, financial decisions, and personal ambitions. Christians are called to cultivate a lifestyle that reflects their faith, demonstrating love, humility, and service in contrast to the self-centeredness often promoted by worldly standards.
Historical Context:Throughout church history, the tension between living in the world and avoiding worldliness has been a significant theme. Early Christians faced persecution for their refusal to conform to the pagan practices of their time. Similarly, monastic movements arose as a response to perceived worldliness within the church, seeking to live lives of simplicity and devotion.
Conclusion:The biblical call to avoid worldliness is a call to live a life that is distinctively Christian, marked by a commitment to God's will and a rejection of the fleeting pleasures and values of the secular world. This involves a continual process of spiritual discernment and transformation, as believers seek to align their lives with the teachings of Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Relating to the world; human; common; as, worldly maxims; worldly actions.
2. (a.) Pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction from the life to come; secular; temporal; devoted to this life and its enjoyments; bent on gain; as, worldly pleasures, affections, honor, lusts, men.
3. (a.) Lay, as opposed to clerical.
4. (adv.) With relation to this life; in a worldly manner.
Greek
2886. kosmikos -- pertaining to the world... to the world. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kosmikos Phonetic Spelling:
(kos-mee-kos') Short Definition: earthly,
worldly Definition: earthly
...952. bebelos -- permitted to be trodden, by impl. unhallowed
... Adjective Transliteration: bebelos Phonetic Spelling: (beb'-ay-los) Short Definition:
profane, secular, unspiritual, godless,worldly Definition: permitted to...
5591. psuchikos -- natural, of the soul or mind
... Word Origin from psuche Definition natural, of the soul or mind NASB Word
Usage natural (5),worldly-minded (1). natural, sensual....
982. biotikos -- pertaining to life
... Transliteration: biotikos Phonetic Spelling: (bee-o-tee-kos') Short Definition:
belonging to ordinary life Definition: belonging to ordinary life,worldly....
2889. kosmos -- order, the world
... Masculine Transliteration: kosmos Phonetic Spelling: (kos'-mos) Short Definition:
the world, universe Definition: the world, universe;worldly affairs; the...
1919. epigeios -- of the earth
... earthly, in earth, terrestrial. From epi and ge;worldly (physically or morally) --
earthly, in earth, terrestrial. see GREEK epi. see GREEK ge....
4678. sophia -- skill, wisdom
... wisdom. From sophos; wisdom (higher or lower,worldly or spiritual) -- wisdom. see
GREEK sophos. (sophia) -- 25 Occurrences. (sophian) -- 14 Occurrences....
Library
WhetherWorldly Fear is Always Evil?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherworldly fear is always evil? Objection
1: It would seem thatworldly fear is not always evil....
WhetherWorldly Fear is Always Evil
... Article Three WhetherWorldly Fear is always Evil. WhetherWorldly Fear is
always Evil... 1. It seems thatworldly fear is not always evil....
OnWorldly Folly
... Third Series Sermon 119 OnWorldly Folly. "But God said unto him, Thou fool!"... Have
I now, or have I ever heretofore had, moreworldly goods given than I wanted?...
ThatWorldly Things are Absolutely to be Avoided.
... LVII."ThatWorldly Things are Absolutely to Be Avoided. If certain teachers,
while looking for your gifts or fearing your persons...
Divine andWorldly Conformity
... DIVINE ANDWORLDLY CONFORMITY.... Much is said by some classes of religious professors
aboutworldly conformity, while little is said about divine conformity....
Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
...Worldly Business No Plea for the Neglect of Religion. Matthew 8:22 " "Let
the dead bury their dead." St. Paul preaching at Athens...
Far Let Me Flee fromWorldly Sin,
... PENITENCE AND LOVE Far let me flee fromworldly sin,. tr., John Brownlie 8,8,8,8.
I. Far let me flee fromworldly sin,. Nor look behind, but onward press;...
That a True Lover DespisesWorldly Things and Desires Heavenly...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XXVIII THAT A TRUE LOVER DESPISESWORLDLY THINGS
AND DESIRES HEAVENLY: AND OF THE HATING OF PRIDE, AND HALSING OF MEEKNESS....
But Seeing aWorldly Spirituality, Called in the Scripture the...
... [Way-3-61] But seeing aworldly spirituality, called in the scripture the whore
riding upon the beast? But seeing aworldly spirituality...
Against Vain andWorldly Knowledge
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XLIII Against vain andworldly knowledge.
"My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee....
Thesaurus
Worldly (25 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Relating to the world; human; common; as,
worldly maxims;
worldly actions.
... 4. (adv.) With relation to this life; in a
worldly manner.
...Worldly-minded (1 Occurrence)
Worldly-minded.Worldly,Worldly-minded. Worlds . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Devoted toworldly interests; mindful of the affairs...
Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence
on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal;worldly; as, earthly joys...
Display (30 Occurrences)
... in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them onworldly principles,
now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"? (WEY). 2 Corinthians...
Principles (11 Occurrences)
... in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them onworldly principles,
now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"? (WEY). 2 Corinthians...
Flavius
... Here he lived the remainder of his days, in high favor with the ruling house, and
relieved from all anxiety aboutworldly goods by lavish imperial patronage....
Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are objects of
human desire; esp., abundance ofworldly estate; affluence; opulence; riches....
Josephus
... Here he lived the remainder of his days, in high favor with the ruling house, and
relieved from all anxiety aboutworldly goods by lavish imperial patronage....
Amos (12 Occurrences)
... from God. But the mention of the prophetic call in association with the
mention of hisworldly calling is significant. There was...
Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... The mysteries of Christianity are its revealed doctrines, in contrast to the wisdom
ofworldly philosophy (see especially 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; compare Matthew...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about worldliness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.orgWorldly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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