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. 1 John 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.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.

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2886.htm - 7k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/952.htm - 7k

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5591.htm - 8k

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/982.htm - 6k

2889. kosmos -- order, the world
... Masculine Transliteration: kosmos Phonetic Spelling: (kos'-mos) Short Definition:
the world, universe Definition: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2889.htm - 7k

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1919.htm - 7k

4678. sophia -- skill, wisdom
... wisdom. From sophos; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) -- wisdom. see
GREEK sophos. (sophia) -- 25 Occurrences. (sophian) -- 14 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4678.htm - 7k

Whether Worldly Fear is Always Evil?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether worldly fear is always evil? Objection
1: It would seem that worldly fear is not always evil. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether worldly fear is always.htm

Whether Worldly Fear is Always Evil
... Article Three Whether Worldly Fear is always Evil. Whether Worldly Fear is
always Evil ... 1. It seems that worldly fear is not always evil. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article three whether worldly fear.htm

On Worldly Folly
... Third Series Sermon 119 On Worldly Folly. "But God said unto him, Thou fool!" ... Have
I now, or have I ever heretofore had, more worldly goods given than I wanted? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 119 on worldly folly.htm

That Worldly Things are Absolutely to be Avoided.
... LVII."That Worldly Things are Absolutely to Be Avoided. If certain teachers,
while looking for your gifts or fearing your persons ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/lvii that worldly things are absolutely.htm

Divine and Worldly Conformity
... DIVINE AND WORLDLY CONFORMITY. ... Much is said by some classes of religious professors
about worldly conformity, while little is said about divine conformity. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk nineteen divine and worldly.htm

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 ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/worldly business no plea for.htm

Far Let Me Flee from Worldly Sin,
... PENITENCE AND LOVE Far let me flee from worldly sin,. tr., John Brownlie 8,8,8,8.
I. Far let me flee from worldly sin,. Nor look behind, but onward press; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/far let me flee from.htm

That a True Lover Despises Worldly Things and Desires Heavenly ...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XXVIII THAT A TRUE LOVER DESPISES WORLDLY THINGS
AND DESIRES HEAVENLY: AND OF THE HATING OF PRIDE, AND HALSING OF MEEKNESS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxviii that a true.htm

But Seeing a Worldly Spirituality, Called in the Scripture the ...
... [Way-3-61] But seeing a worldly spirituality, called in the scripture the whore
riding upon the beast? But seeing a worldly spirituality ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-61 but seeing a worldly.htm

Against Vain and Worldly Knowledge
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XLIII Against vain and worldly knowledge.
"My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xliii against vain and.htm

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. ...
/w/worldly.htm - 13k

Worldly-minded (1 Occurrence)
Worldly-minded. Worldly, Worldly-minded. Worlds . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Devoted to worldly interests; mindful of the affairs ...
/w/worldly-minded.htm - 6k

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 ...
/e/earthly.htm - 22k

Display (30 Occurrences)
... in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them on worldly principles,
now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"? (WEY). 2 Corinthians ...
/d/display.htm - 15k

Principles (11 Occurrences)
... in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them on worldly principles,
now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"? (WEY). 2 Corinthians ...
/p/principles.htm - 10k

Flavius
... Here he lived the remainder of his days, in high favor with the ruling house, and
relieved from all anxiety about worldly goods by lavish imperial patronage. ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are objects of
human desire; esp., abundance of worldly estate; affluence; opulence; riches. ...
/w/wealth.htm - 40k

Josephus
... Here he lived the remainder of his days, in high favor with the ruling house, and
relieved from all anxiety about worldly goods by lavish imperial patronage. ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Amos (12 Occurrences)
... from God. But the mention of the prophetic call in association with the
mention of his worldly calling is significant. There was ...
/a/amos.htm - 44k

Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... The mysteries of Christianity are its revealed doctrines, in contrast to the wisdom
of worldly philosophy (see especially 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; compare Matthew ...
/m/mystery.htm - 42k

What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about worldliness? | GotQuestions.org

What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.org

Worldly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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