Date:      23rd September 2007                                                             (Sunday PM)                                                                        Ref: A0338

Place:     Kambah P.S.

Title: The Spirit of the World[1]

Text:        & 1 John 2:15-17

      Our text describes a battle which will be fought out in the hearts and minds of God's people in these last days. As followers of Jesus Christ you will have to face hard choices.

      Will the lust of the flesh rule your hearts?

      Will the lust of the eyes govern your choices?

      Will the lust for position lead you away from Jesus' feet?

      In short, will you do the will of God?

      The Bible tragically appears to indicate that many will succumb to the delusion that you can indulge yourselves in the world and it’s "things" and still maintain a love for the Father. – Dangerous delusion.

      There are three terms in this passage which constitute the vocabulary of this great conflict. These three words - world, lust and love-are extremely important for us to consider

I.                   The World

A.               Kosmos

i.                 The word “world” is translated from the Greek word kosmos, The Theological dictionary of the New Testament gives us this definition for kosmos

      kósmos has various senses connected with “order.” It thus denotes “what is well assembled or constructed from its individual parts.” 5. kósmos as “World.” I. The Greek View. a. The senses previously mentioned all merge in that of the cosmic order. The use of kósmos for the universe is widespread and goes back to an early period. The idea is that there is an order of things that corresponds to the order of human law. Individual things are at odds, as people engage in disputes, but an immanent cosmic norm holds things together as law does society. The world itself is thus viewed as an ordered society.[2]

ii.               kosmos means in effect "an ordered existence apart from God." Steve Gallagher wrote:

      it is used primarily to describe the corporate consciousness of the people of this world who are in rebellion against God's authority. Kosmos is what binds together the unbelieving world. It is a global mentality that remains a powerful unspoken force in the lives of mankind. It molds vastly different people groups into one entity which lives out its existence on earth under the domain of Satan, unified against God.

iii.             In the beginning of creation at the fall, man handed over dominion of the earth to Satan, Satan therefore has dominion over the world. The world, the Kosmos, is in rebellion to God. Satan, the founder and chief perpetrator of rebellion, is the mastermind behind the global mentality that is against God.

B.               Spirit of the World

i.                 In Revelation, it is that serpent of old who will deceive the entire world. (Revelation 12:9; 13:14) Paul names Satan as "the god of this world." (II Corinthians 4:4) Jesus calls him "the ruler of this world." (John 12:31; 16:11) John explains that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (I John 5:19) He also said, "This is the spirit of the Antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world." (I John 4:3)    

ii.               While the word kosmos refers primarily to the people who are in this anti-God system, it also refers to the global consciousness of those people or to the spirit that controls their thinking.  There is a spirit behind the kosmos and it is the devil / satan.

iii.             To help us have a better awareness of who we are really dealing with, here are a few Scriptures that refer to the devil and I have substituted the phrase, spirit of the world in its place:

         John 8:44-45 44 You are of your father the spirit of the world, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. (NKJV)

         James 4:7 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the spirit of the world and he will flee from you. (NKJV)

         1 Peter 5:8-9 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the spirit of the world walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (NKJV)

iv.             The spirit that continually offers such intoxicating rewards is the same spirit that seeks to destroy you. The charms he uses to entice us, far from being innocuous, become avenues into your heart for the devil himself to enter.

II.                 Lust

A.               Lust and Pride

i.                 The spirit of the world thrives wherever you pursue "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life." If you are dominated by these ungodly passions you are worldly. Demons thrive on such lusts of violence, greed and all the other passions to which you will yield yourself. ~ I know that to be true from my own experience.

ii.               The world has a thousand charms to lure the believer away from a vibrant, genuine love relationship with God. James said,

         James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (NKJV)

iii.             You have within your fallen nature numerous lusts which the spirit of the world targets. Your urge to possess or experience "the things in the world" can be so powerful that your desire for them chokes out your desire for truth. The enemy glamorizes the satisfactions which our lusts crave, leaving us to bounce from one lie to the next, constantly seeking an illusionary fulfillment that never materializes. This is exactly what Jesus is referring to:

         Mark 4:18-19 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (NKJV)

iv.             The more you indulge in the lusts of the world, the more corrupted you will become inside. Your love for God, which once might have burned intensely, will eventually dissipate into a mere outward facade of religious activity. You may glibly say, "I love the Lord with all my heart," yet devote your time and energy to the attractions of this present world, putting God into a secondary and minor place in your life.

B.               Carnal Appetites

i.                 These three carnal appetites, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of pride, are branches of sin.

      The lust of the flesh represents the entire realm of pleasure, entertainment, amusement, and comfort, and includes addictions, movies, sports, television, travel, and all the many kinds of activities people become involved in.

      The lust of the eyes describes a person's intense desire to have something he sees. It usually revolves around the desire for possessions: trendy clothes, the latest technology, a new car, and so on.

      The pride of life is a person's exaggerated estimate of his own value as a person. Self-ambition, a drive to be successful, to have more prominence, an urge to "keep up with the Joneses," or the prideful desire to "be the one" - these are the evidences of the pride life.

ii.               These could all be summarised by the single term coveting, which in its simplest meaning is the desire for something for self.  Most of the things mentioned above are not in and of themselves evil when they are kept in their proper place. The trouble is that Christians have allowed these lusts to drive them in much the same way the unsaved are driven.

      In our daily life, it is difficult to see any difference between the Christian & the unsaved.

iii.             This world caters to these passions, and the Whore of Babylon operates a house of pleasures that will give anybody whether you call yourself a Christian or not-what you want.

III.              Love

A.               The Battleground

i.                 Make no mistake about it-there is an intense battle for your heart John admonishes you & I & vs. 15 ~ This clear-cut statement describes the fierce competition which goes on for your devotion, for a your heart. You are either devoted to God or you are not, the tell-tale factor lies in the true interests of your life. Jesus said it this way:

         Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NKJV)

ii.               Without exception, you will be led throughout life by what you cherish most.

iii.             The Greek word agapao is our English word "love." In its New Testament usage it is used primarily to describe the daily life of the true Christian. In essence, it portrays the overriding passion of a believer's soul. Jesus said,

         Matthew 22:37-38 37 ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. (NKJV)

iv.             In other words, everything you do in life should be motivated by and controlled by a deep affection for the Lord.

B.               Passion for the World

i.                 Love is also used to describe other passions as well. Jesus said,

         John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (NKJV)

ii.               These words, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him," should cause all of us to stop & consider. Will the primary recipient of your devotion be God? Or will you selfishly devote yourself to pursuing the flesh-gratifying things this world has to offer you?

iii.             The devil attempts to paint gray what God paints black and white. Some may say that the believer should not love the things of this world too much, but John said that we are not to love the things of this world at all! If you are into what this world system offers, you simply do not love God. The Bible is quite clear concerning this.

iv.             Jesus put it in the most unequivocal terms when He said,

         Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (NKJV)

v.               It cannot be any plainer: You will either serve your lust for what the world offers, or you will serve a holy desire to please God.

      "The heart of man is narrow, and cannot contain both loves. The world draws down the heart from God; and so the more the love of the world prevails the more the love of God dwindles and decays... The Spirit of God in true Christians is opposed to the spirit of the world." Matthew Henry

IV.             The Great Deception

A.               Kosmos is the Enemy

i.                 The devil's ceaseless aim is that you would be deceived, that you would believe that you can live for the world's rewards and still maintain a viable walk with God.

ii.               Satan employs every deceitful trick he knows, through your carnal desires to achieve his desired goal. His capability to mask the truth and blind your mind should never be underestimated! In the most unambiguous language, the apostle Paul warned believers that the spirit of Antichrist is coming:

         2 Thessalonians 2:10 with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (NKJV)

iii.             You must have a love of the truth no matter what it may cost you!

iv.             Kosmos is God's enemy. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing, stalking through our churches, bookstores and homes, constantly, untiringly, and persistently attempting to deceive, tempt, influence and oppose you.

v.               Embedded in the lust-laden western lifestyle of the 21st Century is an unseen enemy constantly appealing to your lower natures, persistently trying to seduce and deceive you, and viciously attacking anyone who doesn't conform.

vi.             The following catalogue of biblical statements about the world should serve to sober and awaken us.

         John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (NKJV)

         James 1:27 refusing to let the world corrupt you. (NLT)

         James 4:4 Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. (NLT)

         Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, (NKJV)

         1 John 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. (NKJV)

B.               Chose You, this day

i.                 Joshua cried out to all the people to choose:

         Joshua 24:15  choose you this day whom ye will serve; (KJV)

ii.               On Mt Carmel, Elijah challenges the people of God.

         1 Kings 18:21 “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”. (NKJV)

iii.             You can’t continue to worship the world, you have to make a choice.

V.               Altar Call

i.                 Lord, open the eyes of my heart that I might discern the deeper reality of the world around me. Help me to get a glimpse into the spiritual realm where these great battles are being fought out. Set me free from the love of the things this world offers. Purify, strengthen and deepen my love for You.

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[1] Adapated from Intoxicated with Babylon, Steve Gallagher, Chapter 1

[2]Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1995, c1985). Theological dictionary of the New Testament. Translation of: Theologisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament. (460). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.