The Spiritual Life # 7

Helps and Hindrances


Worldliness is contaminating in its influence.


One of the essentials which describes those who know pure religion, is to keep "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). The word "unspotted" occurs in only four places in the New Testament. In three instances it is rendered "without spot". Once it is used in connection with Christ, in describing the perfection of His nature. He is said to be without blemish and "without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). Paul charged Timothy to keep "the commandment" which he had laid upon him in faithfully discharging his duty "without spot" (1 Timothy 6:14); and believers generally in view of the Lord's return are to be "found of Him in peace without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14); and we are also to keep ourselves "unspotted from the world". Mr. Spurgeon said: "The bloom of the hawthorn looks like snow in Richmond Park, but nearer London, or by the roadsides, its virgin whiteness is sadly stained. Contact with the world has just such as effect upon our piety: we must away to the far-off Paradise to see its unsullied purity, and we must be much alone with God, if we would maintain a gracious life below."


Worldliness is antagonistic to God.


"The friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4). There is a suggestive contrast found in the epistle by James. We read that "he who would be a friend of the world is an enemy of God," while our attention is also called to one who was "a friend of God" and therefore an enemy to the world (Jas. 2:23). Abraham is repeatedly called "the friend of God" (2 Chron. 20:7). Although we are not distinctly told when God specifically called Him His friend, yet thee are indications when He did so. It was after Abraham had refused to receive from the King of Sodom the gifts by which he would enrich him, that the Lord came to His servant and said, "I am thy Shield and thy Exceeding Great Reward" (Genesis 14:1#. The King of Sodom is typical of the world, and as Abraham would not associate with him, nor receive anything from him, so the believer should keep from the world which would enrich him at the expense of principle and lead to the denial of Christ.


Worldliness is corrupting in its association


We read of the "corruption that is in the world" (2 Peter 1:4), and also of "the pollutions of the world" (2 Peter 2:20). "Corruption" signifies the putrefaction of a dead body, and "pollution" comes from a word meaning to stain. The world leaves its mark upon those who associate with it, and infects with its corrupting influence. Association with it always leads to disassociation from the Lord. There is no greater proof to this than when the child of God neglects prayer and the meditation of God's Word. All the while Abraham was in Egypt he had no communication from the Lord, and it was not till he came back to Bethel that he knew the Lord's restoring grace and had communion again with Him.


Worldliness is unsatisfying in its Pleasures


"The fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31). The image which the apostle employs is taken from a shifting scene on a stage. The pleasures last but for a season. How true are the words of Thomas Moore: "This world is all a fleeting show, for man's illusion given; the smiles of joy, the tears of woe, deceitful shine, deceitful flow - there's nothing true, but heaven!"


The World is hateful in its Opposition


This is especially true if the child of God is thorough in his devotion to Christ, is separate from all that is evil, and bears a pointed testimony against the hollowness and the unsatisfying nature of the things of the world. The Christian should never expect any consideration from the world, and more, he should never be prepared to receive any, for the world knoweth us not, and the Lord tells us not to marvel if we are hated by it (1 John 3:1, 13).


There are many things which are perfectly harmless in themselves, but which become hurtful because of their associations. It may be asked, "What general rule would you lay down for our guidance as to our attitude to the world?" Separation from it is the Lord's direction, clear and definite; and as we come out from it in obedience to Him we find ourselves not only in the place of safety, but in the position of power. To be specific, the following seven rules should be followed:


1. Go to a place where the Lord will not take you.
2. Be found in no company which is not helpful to your Christian life.
3. Have no pleasure except in the company of those who are the Lord's.
4. Be no party to any transaction upon which you cannot seek your Lord's approval.
5. Listen to no voice which would lead you away from the truth of God's Word.
6. Allow no pleasure to interfere with your attendance at the means of grace.
7. Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.


~F. E. Marsh~


(continued with # 8)