The “spirit of the world” refers to the prevailing mindset and values of unbelieving society that is in opposition to God and His truth. The Bible warns Christians not to conform to this spirit but be transformed by God’s Spirit (Romans 12:2).
Some key characteristics of the world’s spirit include:
- Pride – Exalting of self rather than humbly submitting to God (1 John 2:16)
- Idolatry – Worshiping created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25)
- Rebellion – Rejecting God’s rightful authority over our lives (Ephesians 2:2)
- Materialism – Pursuit of possessions, pleasure and status over eternal things (Luke 12:15)
- Immorality – Disregard for God’s standards of purity and holiness (1 Peter 4:3)
- Unbelief – Refusal to acknowledge sin and need for a Savior (John 16:8-9)
The world’s spirit is propagated by “the god of this world” – Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). Through philosophies, media, and cultural norms, he promotes attitudes and mindsets that are independent of and hostile to God. Scripture refers to this as the “course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2) that caters to natural human cravings but ultimately leads to futility and judgment.
True followers of Christ reject the influence of the world’s spirit. Though living in the world, believers are called to not be “of the world” (John 17:14-16). This requires cultivating discernment to resist ungodly values and renewing the mind according to biblical truth (Romans 12:2). The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to overcome worldly attitudes and live God-honoring lives.
Origins of the World’s Spirit
The antagonistic spirit of the world traces back to the fall and curse of mankind. When Adam and Eve sinned, their rebellion instilled a bent toward independence from God in the human heart and nature (Genesis 3:1-7). Rather than loving submission, people began exalting their own will and desires above their Creator. This opened the door for Satan to gain influence through the corrupt cravings of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3).
Satan operates as “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). Though defeated by Christ at the cross, he still prowls seeking people to deceive and control through worldly allurements and false philosophies (1 Peter 5:8, Colossians 2:8). His goal is to instill attitudes of self-sufficiency and rebellion that keep people blinded to the gospel.
Tragically, most of the world remains under Satan’s sway (1 John 5:19). Jesus described unbelievers as being of their “father the devil” because they share his desires and operate by his falsehoods (John 8:44). They conform to the spirit operating in the disobedient (Ephesians 2:2). Only through faith in Christ can people be rescued from this evil age (Galatians 1:4).
Characteristics of the World’s Spirit
Scripture uses terms like “world,” “flesh” and “nature” to describe the prevailing mindset that caters to our fallen human appetites but opposes God. Key traits of this ungodly spirit include:
Pride
The world promotes pride by getting people to focus on and worship themselves. This manifests in exaggerated self-confidence, living for fame and praise, or efforts to achieve self-righteousness through good works. But the Bible says the unbelieving world lies under the power and judgment of the evil one (1 John 5:19). No amount of self-exaltation can remedy our sin problem before God. Only humility and repentance open the way for God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:16 – For 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.
Idolatry
Idolatry is giving to any created thing the honor, worship and devotion that rightfully belong to God alone. The world promotes idolatry by getting people to focus on possessions, pleasures, relationships, status, ideologies or self rather than our Creator. But these things were made to point us to God, not replace Him. Loving and serving the creation more than the Creator leads only to futility. We must worship God alone.
Romans 1:25 – because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Rebellion
The spirit of the world promotes rebellion against God’s rightful authority by portraying such submission as restricting freedom and fulfillment. This dates back to Satan deceiving Eve that she could be like God by revolting against His word (Genesis 3:5). But in reality, we were made to thrive under God’s good and loving rule. Casting off His wise boundaries only leads to pain and destruction.
Ephesians 2:2 – in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
Materialism
The world promotes materialism by getting people to pursue possessions, pleasure, status and experiences above eternal things. But Scripture warns that loving worldly things breeds only dissatisfaction and distance from God. Rather than living for fleeting things, we are called to store up lasting treasure in heaven by serving God and others.
Luke 12:15 – And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Immorality
The world promotes immorality by portraying God’s standards of purity, fidelity, honesty and integrity as restricting free expression. But this is a deception. God’s commands are given for maximum human thriving. Violating them only brings individual and societal brokenness. As believers, we must resist ungodly pressures and live honorably before God.
1 Peter 4:3 – For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
Unbelief
The world promotes unbelief and skepticism regarding God and His truth. Ever since Satan questioned God’s word to Eve (“Did God really say…?” – Genesis 3:1), the spirit of deception has gotten people to doubt Scripture, reject Christ’s claims, and deny sin and judgment. But this only obstructs people from receiving forgiveness and eternal life. God’s testimony is sure and calls for humble faith.
John 16:8-9 – And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.
Overcoming the World’s Spirit
If we belong to Christ, we have power through the indwelling Holy Spirit to reject worldly attitudes and renew our minds according to biblical truth. Some key steps include:
Recognizing the difference
We must grow in discernment to recognize worldly philosophies that contradict God’s Word. Does it promote human independence over godly submission? Does it cater to the desires of the flesh over the leading of the Spirit? Recognizing ungodly viewpoints allows us to reject their influence.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Renouncing fleshly desires
We must crucify worldly passions and desires that wage war against our soul. Rather than embracing sinful cravings, we put them to death through Christ’s power and pursue God’s righteousness (Galatians 5:16-17, 24). This frees us from slavery to the flesh.
1 Peter 2:11 – Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Renewing our minds with truth
We must retrain our thinking according to God’s word rather than worldly principles. Immersing ourselves in Scripture renews and transforms how we view reality. We take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). His truth sets us free (John 8:32).
Psalm 119:9, 11 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word… I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Relying on the Spirit’s help
We must depend on the Holy Spirit’s aid and strength to resist worldly ways. He produces godly attitudes and character in us as we submit to Christ (Galatians 5:22-23). Walking in step with the Spirit empowers us to overcome wrong desires and live righteously (Galatians 5:16).
1 John 4:4 – Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Examples in Scripture
The Bible includes many examples of godly people who rejected the spirit of the world and lived faithfully for God:
Noah
Noah resisted the wickedness and corruption all around him to walk with God and obey His commands (Genesis 6:9-22). His faithful example condemned the world and saved his family.
Joseph
Though pressured to sin in Egypt, Joseph remained loyal to God under difficult circumstances. He refused to indulge the passions of the flesh (Genesis 39:7-12).
Daniel
As a captive in Babylon, Daniel resolved not to defile himself with royal food and wine. Though tempted by the king’s favor, he stayed true to God (Daniel 1:8).
Jesus
Though subjected to every worldly temptation, Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father and denied every fleshly desire that warred against God’s will (Hebrews 4:15).
Paul
After conversion, Paul decisively turned from his former worldly life of prestige and self-righteousness to fully embrace Christ and suffer for the gospel (Philippians 3:7-8).
Like these heroes of faith, believers today must crucify worldly attitudes and values in order to walk in godliness and effective ministry.
Warnings in Scripture About the World’s Spirit
Because the spirit of the world is so adept at deceiving and destroying, Scripture contains serious warnings against conforming to its values and ways:
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
James 4:4 – You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1 John 2:15-17 – 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. For 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. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Rather than being polluted by worldly attitudes, believers are called to bring Kingdom values into collisions with the spirit of the age. Jesus declared that Christians are “the light of the world” sent to dispel darkness (Matthew 5:14). God intends the church to function as an alternative witness that points people to Him.
The World vs. The Kingdom of God
Scripture presents two opposing realms that require total allegiance – the world system ruled by Satan versus the Kingdom of God ruled by Christ. These kingdoms operate by contradictory values, pursue opposing ends and demand singular devotion. As believers, we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought under Christ’s reign (Colossians 1:13). We must live according to Kingdom priorities and purposes.
The world system is headed for God’s wrath and destruction. But Jesus assured that even the gates of hell will not prevail against His eternal Kingdom (Matthew 16:18). It alone will endure. This calls believers to decisively renounce worldly values and ways in order to align with God and coming realities. We must pledge full devotion to Jesus as King and live under the transforming influence of His Spirit.
Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.
The Allure and Threat of Worldliness
Why does worldliness remain such an alluring temptation even for Christians who belong to God’s Kingdom? The attraction stems from indwelling sin that remains even after conversion. As redeemed but imperfect people, believers are prone to wander and be enticed by ungodly desires (James 1:14-15). If not vigilant, we can drift back toward worldly attitudes and behaviors that dishonor God.
Scripture uses shocking metaphors to capture the threat of worldliness. Friendship with the world is described as spiritual “adultery” (James 4:4). Indulging sinful desires is “wage war” against the soul (1 Peter 2:11). Even seemingly minor compromises can lead to being polluted and entangled again in corrupting ways (2 Peter 2:20-22). As Jesus warned, the desires of the flesh are like weeds that can quickly threaten and choke out spiritual life (Matthew 13:7, 22).
But Scripture also promises that if we humbly resist the world’s pull and draw near to God, He will help cleanse us from sin and empower us to live uprightly (James 4:7-10, Romans 6:19-22). His grace is greater than any temptation.
Cultivating Undivided Loyalty to God
A life consecrated to God requires cultivating an undivided heart. The world promotes compromise and double-mindedness – trying to pursue sinful passions while still clinging to righteousness. But Scripture warns this is dangerously unstable, leaving people in spiritual limbo (James 1:6-8, 4:4).
As Kingdom citizens, believers are called to decisively renounce the mindsets and desires of the flesh to walk in God’s will and ways. This means a posture of continual repentance anytime ungodly attitudes creep in. It also means embracing disciplines like prayer, Scripture intake, fellowship and worship that strengthen our allegiance to Christ. An undivided heart comes through training our affections to yearn for God above all else.
Psalm 86:11 – Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
At salvation, God gives us new hearts inclined toward righteousness rather than sin (Ezekiel 36:26-27). But we must cooperate with His ongoing work to dismantle worldly thought patterns and realign our priorities according to Kingdom values. By His grace, it is possible to live as pilgrims on earth with our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11).
The more we cultivate an undivided heart toward Christ, the more His life and beauty flow through us. Our lives become living testimonies of God’s Kingdom for those still blinded by the spirit of the age. We live as lights pointing others to salvation and freedom in Him.