World, human behaviour in (2)

Human passion in the world is expressed in various ways

In physical desires

1 John 2:15–16 KJV 1900

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

See also Ex 20:17; Pr 27:20; Lk 12:15; Lk 21:34; Jas 4:4; 2 Pe 2:18–20

In indulgence

Jas 5:1; Jas 5:5

See also Job 21:7–13; Ps 73:2–3; 2 Ti 4:10

In intellectual pursuits

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

See also Ga 4:3–5; Eph 2:3

In a weak will

Exodus 23:2 KJV 1900

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

See also Job 31:34; Ro 6:17–19

Though remaining in the world, believers are not of the world

John 17:6–19 KJV 1900

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Believers are to renounce the passions of the world

Through a renewed mind

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

See also Ga 1:4; Eph 4:23; Col 3:5–10

Through obedience

1 Peter 1:14–15 KJV 1900

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

See also 2 Co 10:2–5; Ga 5:24; Ga 6:15; Eph 5:17; Tt 2:12; Jas 1:27; 2 Pe 1:4

Through having spiritual priorities

Luke 12:29–31 KJV 1900

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

See also Mt 10:39; Lk 14:26–27; Lk 17:33; Jn 12:24–26; 1 Ti 6:6

Through growing to maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV 1900

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

See also Heb 5:12; Heb 6:1–3

The futility of worldly pursuits

They bring no lasting material gain

1 Timothy 6:7 KJV 1900

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

See also Job 1:21; Ps 49:17; Ec 5:15; 1 Ti 6:17–19

They bring no spiritual gain

Mark 8:36–37 KJV 1900

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

See also Job 20:4–5; Ps 17:14; Lk 16:25–26