1. Do Not Be Conformed To This World

2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

3. 3 THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SAINTS, 1 Cor 1:2 (1 Thess 4:7)SAINTS, 1 Cor 1:2 (1 Thess 4:7) CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS, 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 6:17-18CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS, 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 6:17-18 CALLED INTO THE KINGDOM, 1 Thess 2:12CALLED INTO THE KINGDOM, 1 Thess 2:12 CALLED INTO FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST, 1 Cor 1:9CALLED INTO FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST, 1 Cor 1:9 DO NOT BEFRIEND THE WORLD, Jas 4:4DO NOT BEFRIEND THE WORLD, Jas 4:4

4. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

5. 5 “This World” (aion) Forever (unbroken age, eternity), Galatians 1:5Forever (unbroken age, eternity), Galatians 1:5 The universe, Hebrews 1:2The universe, Hebrews 1:2 This present time (time before Christ’s return), Luke 20:34; Ephesians 1:21This present time (time before Christ’s return), Luke 20:34; Ephesians 1:21 Time after Christ’s return; eternal kingdom / life, Luke 20:35; Mark 10:30Time after Christ’s return; eternal kingdom / life, Luke 20:35; Mark 10:30 The times; the spirit of the age; the moral & spiritual climate in which people live, Mk 4:19; 2 Cor 4:4; Gal 1:4; 2 Tim 4:10The times; the spirit of the age; the moral & spiritual climate in which people live, Mk 4:19; 2 Cor 4:4; Gal 1:4; 2 Tim 4:10

6. 6 World (kosmos) System of evil that opposes God, 1 Jno 2:15System of evil that opposes God, 1 Jno 2:15 –Dominion of Satan, Jno 12:31; 1 Jno 5:19 (kosmos); 2 Cor 4:4 (age) –Cares that choke God’s word, Mk 4:19 (age) –Evil that enslaves, Gal 1:4 (age) –Perishing, blind, unbelieving, 2 Cor 4:3-4 (age) –Love it is not to loving eternity, 2 Tim 4:10 (age) Do not be conformed to this world, Rom 12:2 (age)Do not be conformed to this world, Rom 12:2 (age)

7. 7 Conformed to this World Conform: to fashion or shape one thing like another; to pattern after Living like the world, Ephesians 2:1-3Living like the world, Ephesians 2:1-3 –The “course” (aion) of this “world” (kosmos), 2:2 –Trespasses & sins, 2:1 –Approved by Satan – disobedience, 2:2 –Fulfills the desires of the flesh & mind (LUST); self-willed, 2:3 –Result: Death & wrath, 2:1, 3 – LOST!

8. 8 Conformed to this World Loving this world, 1 John 2:15-16Loving this world, 1 John 2:15-16 –“World” is not the flesh, eyes or life – It is the LUST of these things, 2:16 (cf. 1 Tim 6:9-10) –To satisfy these lusts instead of doing God’s will is to love the world & not love God, 2:15 (2 Tim 3:4) –Impossible to serve God out of love, 1 Jno 5:3 (Jno 14:15; 15:10) –“Worldliness” is not loving & not obeying God

9. 9 Conformed to this World Lusting after this world, 2 Peter 1:3-4Lusting after this world, 2 Peter 1:3-4 –Unlawful gratification of desires –Conduct opposed to the divine nature, 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:22-24; 5:25-27 –Corruption in the world (kosmos) through lust –Indulging fleshly lusts corrupts our moral and spiritual life, 1:4; Jas 1:13-15

10. 10 Misconceptions about Worldliness “Only sins like adultery, drunkenness and homosexuality are worldliness.”“Only sins like adultery, drunkenness and homosexuality are worldliness.” –“And such like” Galatians 5:19-21 –Wrong heart amounts to worldliness, Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28

11. 11 Misconceptions about Worldliness “A practice must be specifically condemned before it can be regarded as worldly.”“A practice must be specifically condemned before it can be regarded as worldly.” –Silence is not consent! –Does God’s authority (approval) exist for it? 1 Ths 5:21; Col 3:17 –This view of worldliness loosens God’s bands of restraint

12. 12 Misconceptions about Worldliness “Those in the world set the standard for what is judged to be worldly.” John 17:17“Those in the world set the standard for what is judged to be worldly.” John 17:17 –Prevalence of a practice: “No one pays attention to it.” –Immodesty, entertainment, social drinking, profanity, gambling, “and such like” –God defines worldliness, not the world!

13. 13 Misconceptions about Worldliness “Things of the world are okay if done in the privacy of one’s own home.” Eph 5:11-12“Things of the world are okay if done in the privacy of one’s own home.” Eph 5:11-12 –Would that be our approach to fornication, idolatry or murder? –If something is “of the world,” then “where” it occurs has nothing to do with its sinfulness!

14. 14 Misconceptions about Worldliness “How my behavior affects another person does not condemn me for what I am doing.”“How my behavior affects another person does not condemn me for what I am doing.” –Yes it does! Matthew 18:6-7 Stumbling block, evil influence on others, reproach on Christ & His church, 1 Pet 2:11-12Stumbling block, evil influence on others, reproach on Christ & His church, 1 Pet 2:11-12 You ARE your brother’s keeper!You ARE your brother’s keeper!

15. 15 Do not be Conformed to this World When we love & obey God we are “not of this world” (John 17:14-17)When we love & obey God we are “not of this world” (John 17:14-17) When we hold, speak & live the world’s values we are “conformed to this world” (1 John 4:4-6)When we hold, speak & live the world’s values we are “conformed to this world” (1 John 4:4-6) Beware, lest we are overtaken by temptation & sin (1 Cor 10:12-13)Beware, lest we are overtaken by temptation & sin (1 Cor 10:12-13)