Developing Discernment in Understanding Worldliness
Theme: Because we love God, we seek to please Him to the best of our ability.
I. Biblical _______________ for Worldliness
A. Old Testament: Israel was to be distinct from other ______________
1. They were to annihilate the nations and their practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; 20:16-18)
2. They were to love uniquely and in holiness unto God (Exodus 19:4-6; Deuteronomy 14:2)
B. New Testament: Christians are called to be distinct from the _______________
1. “_______________”: Global trends, attitudes, and actions (1 John 2:15)
2. “_______________”: Current culture (Romans 12:2)
3. “_______________”: Outside nations (Ephesians 4:17)
II. Manifestations of Worldliness in the Old Testament
A. Adopting the _______________ of the outside nations
1. Israel was commanded to not worship the other nations’ _______________ (Deuteronomy 6:14-15; 1 Kings 11:1-8)
2. Israel was commanded to not borrow the nations’ _______________ of worship
a. Using images in the worship of God (Exodus 20:4; 36:1-10; 1 Kings 12:26-33; Isaiah 40:18-26)
b. Using high places in the worship of God (Deuteronomy 12:4)
B. Over-accumulating and relying on _______________ or position (Deuteronomy 17:16-17)
III. Manifestations of Worldliness in the New Testament
A. Having a worldly _______________ (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24)
1. Focusing on our own well-being (Luke 12:22-23; John 12:25; Philippians 4:6)
2. Thinking too highly of ourselves (Matthew 20:25-27; Romans 12:3)
3. Thinking according to the world’s philosophies (1 Corinthians 1-3:1-3)
4. Bening deceived by false teaching/thinking (1 John 4:1-5; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:3)
B. Having worldly _______________ (1 John 2:15-17)
1. A love for the temporal (2 Timothy 4:10; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17)
2. A love for self (James 3:14-16; Philippians 1:15-17; 2:3-4)
3. Feeding and encouraging our fleshly lusts (Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16-17; 1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:12)
C. Having a worldly _______________ (Romans 12:1-2)
1. In ways that are not necessarily associated with sin (Matthew 16:24-27; Acts 20:22-24; Philippians 1:20-30; 3:17-21)
2. In ways that are associated with sin
a. Sin _______________ (Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:5-11; 1 John 1:6; Ephesians 5:11)
b. _______________ with sinful living
i. Associating with the _______________ of sin (1 Corinthians 8-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Philippians 2:15)
ii. Associating with _______________ involved in sin (1 Corinthains 5:1-12; Ephesians 5:7, 12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
Worldliness is allowing the ways of the outside world (those who do not have Christ) to shape any aspect of my thoughts, affections, or lifestyle.