My base scripture is taken from Romans 12:1-2, where we find this statement of the Spirit within Paul: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Following the first section I will turn my attention to the warnings against our keeping the "mind set on worldliness" and then I will begin to look at such things as an evil perils, and sinful imitations, to name but a few, over the next few posts.
To begin let us look at what Isaiah stated back in 30:1-2 of 1-5 for a moment: "'Ah, stubborn children,' declares the LORD, 'who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for My direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation. For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes, everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.'"
To this I will now turn to the Lord Jesus to see what He said about such things, this will be found in Matthew thirteens teaching about the seed in verse 22 of 18-23: 'Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.'"
Next to Galatians 1, where in verses 3 through 5 we find this statement: "Grace to you and peace from GOD our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our GOD and Father, in Whom be the glory forever and ever, says the Amen."
And next to 1John 2, where we find this statement in verse 15 of 15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love (seed, law) of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of GOD abides forever."
Now for more on the worldliness of man with the warning against such begin with:
Warning against Worldliness,
Matthew 16:26 of 24-27 "Then Jesus told His disciples, 'If anyone would come after (walk in agreement with) Me, let him deny (his worldly nature of) himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done.'"
Luke 21:34 of 34-38; Romans 12:2 of 1-2 (Jesus is speaking) "'But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.' And every day He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him."
Romans 12:2 of 1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be (remain as) conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and (made) perfect."
Colossians 3:2 of 1-4 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of GOD. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in GOD. When Christ Who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Titus 2:12 of 11-14, 15 "For the grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works."
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you (persuade you otherwise)."
Things to Avoid,
James 4:4 of 1-10; 1John 2:15 of 15-17 "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture (Numbers 23:19 of 13-24) says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us?" (john 17) For He gives (us all) more grace (by Isaiah in 54:7 of 4-8). Therefore it says, "GOD opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Psalm 138:6 of 4-6, Proverbs 3:34 of 27-35, Matthew 23:12 of 1-23; 1Peter 5:5 of 1-5)." Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nearer to GOD, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (of James 1:8 of 5-8). Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the LORD, and He will exalt you."
Do Not Love the World,
1John 2:15 of 15-17 "Do not love the world or the things 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 and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of GOD abides forever."
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