Growing up as a Mennonite I would hear this verse often along with the following verse, except usually it was in German:
1 Johannes 2:15
Habt nicht lieb die Welt noch was in der Welt ist. So jemand die Welt liebhat, in dem ist nicht die Liebe des Vaters.
16 Denn alles, was in der Welt ist: des Fleisches Lust und der Augen Lust und hoffärtiges Leben, ist nicht vom Vater, sondern von der Welt.
The German Bible had to be the Luther translation and the English version had to be the KJV. Here is the English version:
1 John 2:15-16
[15]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.
[16]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.
In church these verses were linked to multiple things such as: pleasure trips, big game hunts, rodeos, internet, radio, jewelry, cell phones, theaters, having one's own vehicle, big farm equipment, big businesses over a certain limit and many other things.
There's this meme I saw on Facebook today that would fit in nice right here:
The verses I shared above have been on my mind lately partly because depending who would see me at times they would tell me I'm backsliding because of my outward appearance and so I want to take some time to see what the Bible says and what the words mean etc and share my finds with you. So first off this is the KJV version:
1 John 2:15-16
[15]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.
[16]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.
Next is the NASB version considered to be the most accurate word for word translation with the oldest manuscripts:
Do not love the world nor 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 lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
Next is the ESV version which is the next closest word for word translation:
15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For 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.
Next is the NET version, considered by scholars to be the next accurate translation, yet before the KJV:
15 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, 16 because all that is in the world(the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world.
(If you're curious about where certain versions fall on the scale, here's one chart:)
So starting with KJV, let's see what verses are referenced:
Romans 12:2
[2]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.
Matthew 6:24
[24]No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The 2 verses above are for verse 15 and the next one is for verse 16:
Ecclesiastes 5:11
[11]When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
Esv has a footnote for verse 16, the pride of life as also pride in possessions.
Net has this footnote:
The genitive βίου (biou) is difficult to translate: (1) Many understand it as objective, so that βίος (bios, “material life”) becomes the object of one’s ἀλαζονεία (alazoneia; “pride” or “boastfulness”). Various interpretations along these lines refer to boasting about one’s wealth, showing off one’s possessions, boasting of one’s social status or lifestyle. (2) It is also possible to understand the genitive as subjective, however, in which case the βίος itself produces the ἀλαζονεία. In this case, the material security of one’s life and possessions produces a boastful overconfidence. This understanding better fits the context here: The focus is on people who operate purely on a human level and have no spiritual dimension to their existence. This is the person who loves the world, whose affections are all centered on the world, who has no love for God or spiritual things (“the love of the Father is not in him,” 2:15). sn: The arrogance produced by material possessions. The person who thinks he has enough wealth and property to protect himself and insure his security has no need for God (or anything outside himself).
Now for the meaning of the words from the Interlinear Bible:
Now for key words:
V.15:
~Love(the world):
Strong's g25
- Lexical: ἀγαπάω
- Transliteration: agapaó
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Phonetic Spelling: ag-ap-ah'-o
- Definition: to love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem.
- Origin: Perhaps from agan (much); to love (in a social or moral sense).
- Usage: (be-)love(-ed). Compare phileo.
- Translated as (count): loving (24), loved (15), love (12), You shall love (10), to love (8), loves (7), you love (7), we should love (6), having loved (5), Beloved (4), you loved (4), having been loved (3), He loved (3), he loves (3), should love (3), we love (3), will love (3), have loved (2), he will love (2), I have loved (2), I love (2), love you (2), has loved (1), having been beloved (1), I am loved (1), I do love (1), I loved (1), let love (1), she loved (1), they have loved (1), they loved (1), will be loved (1), You have loved (1), you should love (1), you would have loved (1).
The word "things" is in italics in the KJV meaning it was added by the translators to make it easier to understand.
~Love(of the Father):
Strong's g26
- Lexical: ἀγάπη
- Transliteration: agapé
- Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
- Phonetic Spelling: ag-ah'-pay
- Definition: love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.
- Origin: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast.
- Usage: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
- Translated as (count): love (106), of love (5), in love (2), beloved (1), love feasts (1), to love (1).
V.16:
~world:
Strong's g2889
- Lexical: κόσμος
- Transliteration: kosmos
- Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
- Phonetic Spelling: kos'-mos
- Definition: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.
- Origin: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)).
- Usage: adorning, world.
- Translated as (count): world (169), of world (13), adorning (1), earth (1), in this world (1), the world (1).
~lust:
Strong's g1939
- Lexical: ἐπιθυμία
- Transliteration: epithumia
- Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
- Phonetic Spelling: ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah
- Definition: desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust.
- Origin: From epithumeo; a longing (especially for what is forbidden).
- Usage: concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
- Translated as (count): desires (13), desire (11), lusts (4), passions (3), covetousness (2), by passions (1), evil desires (1), of lust (1), passion (1), With desire (1).
~flesh:
Strong's g4561
- Lexical: σάρξ
- Transliteration: sarx
- Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
- Phonetic Spelling: sarx
- Definition: flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.
- Origin: Probably from the base of saroo; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such).
- Usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
- Translated as (count): flesh (133), of flesh (7), the flesh (5), in flesh (4), with flesh (1).
~eyes:
Strong's g3788
- Lexical: ὀφθαλμός
- Transliteration: ophthalmos
- Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
- Phonetic Spelling: of-thal-mos'
- Definition: the eye; fig: the mind's eye.
- Origin: From optanomai; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance).
- Usage: eye, sight.
- Translated as (count): eyes (65), eye (26), an eye (3), of eyes (2), the eyes (2), gaze (1), of an eye (1).
~pride:
Strong's g212
- Lexical: ἀλαζονεία
- Transliteration: alazoneia
- Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
- Phonetic Spelling: al-ad-zon-i'-a
- Definition: boasting, show, arrogant display, ostentation; plur: occasions of ostentation.
- Origin: From alazon; braggadocio, i.e. (by implication) self-confidence.
- Usage: boasting, pride.
- Translated as (count): arrogance (1), vaunting (1).
~life:
Strong's g979
- Lexical: βίος
- Transliteration: bios
- Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
- Phonetic Spelling: bee'-os
- Definition: (a) life, (b) manner of life; livelihood.
- Origin: A primary word; life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood.
- Usage: good, life, living.
- Translated as (count): life (3), livelihood (2), living (2), goods (1), of life (1), property (1).
This is all very interesting! It appears to me that the main thing is our attitude is a big part in whether we are of the world or not. Here's a few verses that come to mind:
Over and over humbleness emerges in the New Testament. It seems that humbleness is high on God's list for His children. Here's some of Jesus's words:
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
It also a huge theme in the Old Testament as over and over we see God bringing down proud and wicked nations who refused to go their own way and disobey God. We see it happening to the Israelites and also to the nations in the promised land that God told them to destroy because of their wickedness. Anything that goes against God's Word could be considered worldly, or of the world. For example, if we love to have our own way.
Man's way by being proud:
Judges 17:6
[6]In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Proverbs 21:2
[2]Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 16:18
[18]Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
God's way by being humble:
Deuteronomy 13:17-18
[17]And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;
[18]When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.
Man's way of wanting to be rich materialisticly:
Psalms 49:6-7
[6]They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
[7]None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Proverbs 13:7
[7]There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Proverbs 22:16
[16]He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Proverbs 28:22
[22]He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Matthew 13:22
[22]He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Revelation 3:17
[17]Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
God's way of putting Him first and then He promises to meet our needs:
Psalms 37:16-18
[16]A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
[17]For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
[18]The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Proverbs 10:4
[4]He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 10:20-22
[20]The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
[21]The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
[22]The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 22:1-2
[1]A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
[2]The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:4,9,22-23
[4]By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
[9]He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
[22]Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
[23]For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
[17]Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
[18]That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
[19]Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Romans 10:12
[12]For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
2 Corinthians 8:9
[9]For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Ephesians 1:3-7
[3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[4]According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
[5]Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[6]To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
[7]In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Philippians 4:19
[19]But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:25-33
[25]Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
[26]Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
[27]Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
[28]And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
[29]And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[30]Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[31]Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
[32](For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
[33]But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Man's way of seeking attention whether by appearance or possessions,etc:
Isaiah 3:16-24
[16]Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
[17]Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.
[18]In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
[19]The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
[20]The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
[21]The rings, and nose jewels,
[22]The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
[23]The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
[24]And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
Mark 10:17-22
[17]And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
[18]And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
[19]Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
[20]And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
[21]Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
[22]And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
God's way:
1 Peter 3:4
[4]But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Romans 2:29
[29]But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Matthew 5:16
[16]Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Acts 9:36-39
[36]Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
[37]And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
[38]And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
[39]Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
[6]But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7]Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8]And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
1 Peter 2:12
[12]Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
James 3:13
[13]Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Ephesians 2:8-10
[8]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9]Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10]For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I guess that's enough verses for now even though there's so many more...
So many things are tied to the phrase "of the world" yet in my study tonight it seems to be much more the human nature than actual things(remember things is an added word) like so many people say it means. It seems to be more pride, covetousness, lust for things we aren't supposed to have, desire for attention and praise, and envy. God speak against these things in the 10 commandments.
When our heart is hard and not born again, Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20
that those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Also I think of this verse as well:
James 1:26-27
[26]If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
[27]Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
It appears from Scripture that before a person gets saved they are of the world.
Jesus prayed in His prayer:
John 17:6,9,15-16,18
[6]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.
[9]I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
[15]I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
[16]They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
[18]As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
We see that when a person is regenerated their heart changes. They are still as a baby, developing new ways and habits, growing spiritual muscles which reminds me of these verses:
1 Peter 2:1-3
[1]Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2]As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3]If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
We are adopted into a new Kingdom, a new family:
Ephesians 1:4-6
[4]According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
[5]Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[6]To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We are like babies trying to learn how to walk. We will fall and make mistakes, but with help we get up and try again. These are some things we need to practice before can get good at them:
2 Timothy 2:15
[15]Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 12:2
[2]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.
Matthew 6:6-8
[6]But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
[7]But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
[8]Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Ephesians 2:10
[10]For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
John 15:4-5
[4]Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
[5]I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
As we grow spiritually we are also expected to change more into the likeness of Christ. As we put God first our desires and priorities start to change. We still have our sinful human nature that we battle with daily as these verses portray it to be:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
[3]For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4](For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5]Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Romans 7:4-25
[4]Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
[5]For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
[6]But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
[7]What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
[8]But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
[9]For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
[10]And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
[11]For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
[12]Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
[13]Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
[14]For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
[15]For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[16]If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17]Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18]For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[19]For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[20]Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[21]I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[22]For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
[23]But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
[24]O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
[25]I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 6:12-23
[12]Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
[13]Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
[14]For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
[15]What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
[16]Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
[17]But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
[18]Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
[19]I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
[20]For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
[21]What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
[22]But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
[23]For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then, when we get born again we are no longer part of the world. We are still in the world, we will be until we die. God's kingdom is heavenly and therefore the things of this world should no longer appeal to us. It is a growing process and doesn't happen overnight. Satan who is the ruler of this world will seek to entangle us again and draw our eyes away from those things that need to be first priority in our lives. So many "things" are not wrong in and of themselves. It is the heart of the person behind the "thing" that causes things to be used for the wrong things. For example, some people think this:
Internet=pornography
Guns=violence
Women's pants=men's lust,rape
Jewelry, nail polish=pride, Jezebel spirit, rebellion
Cape dresses(Mennonites), skirts(Holiness Pentecostal)= modesty
These things are not in the Bible. These are man made traditions and beliefs. If you really want to understand the full meaning study the history, culture and definition of the Scriptures surrounding the verses used for the list above. It makes the understanding much richer. We also have so much more available through research than they did only a few years ago. Just assuming something means the same as what it appears to mean and we could be stepping on the same ground as false teachers if we teach others as much without doing our duty to study it out the best we can. We have no excuse with all the evidence and resources that are available to us today. I'm guilty myself. I'm trying to do better.
We are ambassadors for God's kingdom and if we teach our own personal standards and convictions as Bible truth we will be on the same ground as the Pharisees. Jesus had some mighty strong words for them:
Matthew 23:13-35
[13]But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
[14]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
[15]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
[16]Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
[17]Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
[18]And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
[19]Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
[20]Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
[21]And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
[22]And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
[23]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
[24]Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
[25]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
[26]Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
[27]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
[28]Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
[29]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
[30]And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
[31]Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
[32]Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
[33]Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
[34]Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
[35]That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Luke 13:14-16
[14]And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15]The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
[16]And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Matthew 5:20
[20]For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
I hope you enjoyed my ramblings. I hope it has been beneficial to you and maybe encourages you a little to study deeper yourself. Thanks for reading!
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