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posted ago by PraiseGod ago by PraiseGod +17 / -5

"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." (1 John 2:15-17)

"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." (James 4:4)

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:19)

"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." (Romans 12:2)

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." (John 17:14)

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:22-24)

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)

Do not be overly attached to worldly (non-spiritual) things. Believers are to love God and one another, not the world or possessions. The term "world" is not a reference to earth, or even to all material things. In this context, the term "world" is a reference to the fallen, man-centered system, or way of life. This system is filled with the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and pride of life.

Someone who loves the way this world operates, including its control by sin, is a person who cannot also focus on the Father's will. So, brothers, sisters, and friends, place your devotion and love firmly in God, for you serve the Lord Christ. The world is passing away along with its desires but rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for whoever does the will of God abides forever, for great is your reward in heaven.