The Bible has a lot to say about worldliness, which is characterized by a love and obsession with the temporal things of this world rather than the eternal things of God. At its core, worldliness is living for the here and now instead of the hereafter. It is seeking after the pleasures, possessions, and priorities of this fallen world rather than storing up treasures in heaven. The Bible warns that friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4) and those who love the world do not have the Father’s love in them (1 John 2:15).
There are over 100 verses in the Bible that address worldliness in some form. From the Old Testament prophets to Jesus’ teachings to the New Testament epistles, Scripture consistently warns against adopting the mindset and lifestyle of this passing world. Here are some of the key themes that emerge regarding what the Bible says about worldliness:
1. Loving the world shows lack of love for God
A constant theme throughout Scripture is that you cannot love both God and the world at the same time. They are mutually exclusive. James 4:4 states that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” and that we should not be “friends with the world.” 1 John 2:15 says plainly “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” When our affections are set on earthly things, there is no room in our hearts to genuinely love and obey God.
2. Worldliness indulges fleshly desires and pride
The world system feeds human pride and promotes living for pleasure, riches, and self-importance. But the Bible tells us to crucify the flesh and its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Scripture repeatedly warns against boastfulness (Proverbs 27:1), love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), and sexual immorality (Ephesians 5:3) – all of which are encouraged by the worldly mindset of self-indulgence.
3. The world is opposed to God and bound for destruction
1 John 2:16-17 indicates the world’s sensual lusts, greed, and boasting come not from God but from the world. And this world is passing away. James 1:27 tells us that true religion is to keep oneself “unstained from the world.” Romans 12:2 says we should not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Friendship with the world means hostility toward God (James 4:4). The world hated Christ first and those who follow Him (John 15:18-19). The Bible is clear – this world is opposed to God and bound for destruction (1 John 2:17).
4. Worldliness chokes out the Word of God
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warned that the deceitfulness of riches and desire for other things entering the heart can choke out the Word of God, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19). Worldliness, whether riches or worries or pleasures, crowds out time for prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship, and serving God. According to Luke 8:14, worldly believers can have their spiritual growth stunted by getting entangled in the affairs of this life.
5. Do not love the world or anything in the world
1 John 2:15 directly states, “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.” This makes it clear we must avoid an inordinate affection or preoccupation with the temporal things of this earthly realm. Luke 16:13 warns “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” God wants our full devotion.
6. Set your heart and minds on things above
In contrast to worldliness, the Bible calls believers to set their hearts and minds on the eternal. Colossians 3:2 commands, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Our thought lives should reflect the heavenly priorities God has laid out, not earthly ones.
7. Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth
Matthew 6:19-21 warns believers not to store up treasures for themselves on earth. Why? Because earthly treasures do not last and because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. But we are to store up eternal treasures in heaven which will never perish. When you live with an eternal perspective, it helps avoid getting caught up in worldly attitudes and lifestyles which have no eternal significance.
8. Guard against worldly philosophies contrary to Christ
Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” We must guard our minds against believing worldviews that leave God and Christ out of the picture. 1 Corinthians 3:19 declares, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” So we need to guard against unbiblical worldviews pervading our thinking.
9. We cannot serve both God and money
Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The endless pursuit of wealth and possessions characterizes worldliness. But Scripture calls us to be content with what we have (Philippians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:5). Our life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).
10. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world
Romans 12:2 provides a concise description of worldliness when it commands, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Regarding worldliness, believers are called to non-conformity. We are not to adopt the sinful ways, selfish ambitions, or corrupt customs of this fallen world system. Our allegiance belongs to the Kingdom of God.
11. Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap
1 Timothy 6:9 offers this warning about worldliness: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” When our earthly desires spin out of control or we covet material wealth, it leads to spiritual disaster. Our contentment cannot come from riches but God alone (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
12. The pride of life is not from the Father
1 John 2:16 says, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” Pride ties in closely with worldliness, as does lust. This reminds us that worldliness involves haughtiness and ego as well as earthly desires that go against God’s will. True humility comes from God.
13. Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God
James 4:4 offers this stern warning: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” There is no middle ground. We cannot straddle the fence between loving God and loving the world. It is one or the other. The choice is ours.
14. Do not be polluted by the world
James 1:27 states, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Here we get insight into being unstained by the world (verse 27) while also learning how we can actively avoid worldliness by focusing on others and pursuing true religion that is pleasing to God.
15. Demas loved this world and deserted Paul
Demas was a companion of Paul who ultimately turned back to worldliness. 2 Timothy 4:10 notes this, “for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me.” This demonstrates how worldliness can drag a believer backward into sinful living. Demas knows the truth yet chooses the temporal pleasures of this world over eternal truth and rewards.
As you can see, worldliness is a consistent theme covered throughout the Bible with many verses warning believers of its dangers. At its essence, worldliness is loving the temporal over the eternal, seen in desires for possessions, pleasures, power, and prominence. It is a mindset and lifestyle focused on self rather than God. But Scripture calls us to live with an eternal perspective that stores up heavenly treasures, looks to things above, and guards our hearts from adopting the philosophies and patterns of this passing world.
When we find ourselves increasingly attached to earthly things, developing worldly attitudes, or pursuing ungodly ambitions, we need to repent. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can deliver believers from worldliness and align our thoughts, affections, and actions with His kingdom purposes. Then we can walk in freedom, joy and purpose rather than getting trapped in the endless rat race for status, stuff, and satisfaction that the world promotes to its own peril and destruction.