HOW MUCH ARE YOU BEING CONTAMINATED BY WORLDLINESS?

SCRIPTURE:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. 
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
(1 John 2:15)

MEDITATION:
There are certain elements of daily life which are not sinful in themselves 
but which have a tendency to lead to sin if they are abused. 
Abuse literally means “extreme use” and, in many instances, 
overuse of things lawful becomes sin.

Ambition is an essential part of character, 
but it must be fixed on lawful objects and exercised in proper proportion. 
Thoughts about the necessities of life and taking care of one’s family 
are absolutely essential; but this can degenerate into anxiety, 
and then, as Christ reminded us, 
the cares of this life choke the spiritual seed in the heart.

Making money is essential for daily living; 
but money-making is apt to degenerate into money-loving, 
and then the deceitfulness of riches enters and spoils our spiritual life.

Much so-called worldliness in Christian circles is misunderstood. 
We cannot confine it to a particular group, social strata, or circumstance 
of life, and say that one person is spiritual and another is nonspiritual. 
Worldliness is a spirit, an atmosphere, an attitude that permeates the 
human society, and it needs to be guarded against constantly and strenuously.

ACTION:
How much of the world is still permeating your spirit and all that you do?
The best defense against worldliness 
is to allow the love of God to live in you.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to search my inner self and identify every part 
of my life that is leaning toward worldliness. Give me the strength and 
awareness I need to allow Your love to flow through me. Keep me sensitive 
to Your Spirit so that I may not fall into the spirit of worldliness and 
its lusts.”