Bible World View II Cor. 4:3 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

We are going to search several passages in the Bible to see the Bible world view.  Our attitude toward the world should be based upon the Bible world view and not what we think.  Notice these features of the world:

The god of this world – 2 Cor 4:4 – the devil is the god of this world [Lk 4:6].  We can’t explain how God sets up certain kings and puts down others while the devil has the power of the kingdoms and gives it to whomever he will.  But we know that the devil is the god of this world and he is absolutely opposed to God.

The spirit of this world – 1 Cor 2:12 – the spirit of this world is contrary to the spirit of God.  There are evil spirits in this world.

The course of this world – Eph 2:2 – this world is on a course that is contrary to God.  It is a downward course and it has a definite end [Matt 24:3; Matt 28:20].  It ends when the god of this world is thrown into the bottomless pit and chained for a thousand years.

The rudiments of this world – Col 2:8 – the fundamentals and principles upon which this world is founded are contrary to God.  We are to beware of the philosophies and vain deceit that come from these principles.  College professors can take a Christian young man or woman right out of his fellowship with God,

The wisdom of this world – 1 Cor 3:19 – the world definitely has wisdom, but next to God’s wisdom it is just foolishness.

The fashion of this world – 1 Cor 7:31 – fashions are ever changing.  God never changes.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

God summarizes these characteristics of the world this way:

This evil world – Gal 1:4 – the Bible talks about the world as this present evil world.  No amount of effort on your part is going to make it better.  You’re wasting your time.  We are to pray for those in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

This wicked world – 1 Jn 5:19 – the whole world lieth in wickedness, John says.  That’s the Bible world view.

This hateful world – Jn 17:18-19 – the world hates Jesus and the world hates us.  Now if the world doesn’t hate you, perhaps it is because the world doesn’t know about your relationship with Jesus.  If they did, they wouldn’t like you anymore than they like your Saviour.

So, what should be our attitude based upon the Bible world view?

Love not the world – 1 Jn 2:15-17 – we are not to love the world. Do you know why you watch the filth that comes out of Hollywood?  Because you love the world.  Do you know why you spend so much time on Facebook instead of in your Bible and in prayer?  Because you love the world.  Do you know why you keep up with the news more than you do with your Bible reading?  Because you love the world.  If the love of the Father was in you, your time would be spent the other way around and much of what you see and do would stop.  You would have a Bible world view.

Jesus gave us some clear instructions about what to do with the world:

Jesus prayed not for the world – Jn 17:9 – the only thing he is going to do with the world is end it. The world is a lost cause.

We are not of the world – Jn 17:14-16 – like the old song says, “This world is not my home.”

Yet, we are sent into the world – Jn 17:14-16 – we are sent to tell the world about Jesus because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son [Jn 3:16].  That is done.  We need to tell folks so they can believe on him and be saved.  And we are sent to reprove the world [Eph 5:11-13; Jn 16:8-11] which is a work that the Holy Spirit does through us. It’s going to be hard for you to reprove the world if you are running with the world.

Conclusion: you must have a Bible world view and stop loving the world.  Devote yourself, instead, to loving God.  Tell others about Jesus and reprove the world with the light of God’s word in the power of the Spirit of God.