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What does the Bible say about worldliness?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible warns believers not to love the fallen values, desires, and pride of this present world, but to live as those transformed by God and devoted to Christ. First John 2:15-17 contrasts the passing lusts of the world with the enduring life of those who do God's will. Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:2 call Christians to renewed minds set on things above rather than conformity to worldly patterns. James 4:4 soberly describes friendship with the world as enmity toward God, while Titus 2:12 teaches that grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, godly lives. This is not withdrawal from people, but faithful holiness within the world Christ sends us to serve.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 John 2:15-17

    [15] Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's. [17] The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.

  • Colossians 3:2

    Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • James 4:4

    You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

  • Titus 2:12

    instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;

  • John 15:19

    If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

  • 1 John 2:15-16

    [15] Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.

  • Jude 1:19

    These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not having the Spirit.

  • 1 Peter 1:14

    as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,

  • 2 Timothy 2:4

    No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

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