Matthew 16:26-For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.-James 4:4
Do not love the world, neither the things that are in it, for whoever loves the world does not have the love of The Father in him.-1 John 2:15
You may be thinking, "Didn't the Bible say, 'For God so LOVED the world!?'" Yes, the Word does say that and yes it is true. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ for us. But what the 2 scriptures above are saying, is that the "love of the world" is the love for anything temporal that surpasses your love and loyalty for God, a.k.a. "idols of the heart," and/or "false gods." This is in the forms of money, sex, people, popularity, and anything else that is birthed from these things. Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness with the "love of the world" but not in the way John 3:16 explains it...
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He said to Jesus, "I will give you all these things if you will bow down and worship me!"-Matthew 4:8-9
Jesus knew He was being tempted with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. He knew it was a deception and its end would be destruction, not just for Him but for all of us for eternity. He knew it was a temptation to "worship" someone (Satan) and something other than God Himself, and Jesus knew just how to answer the devil in scripture:
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"Matthew 4:10
If we are more concerned with the favor of the world, getting man's approval, or maybe even in your Christian faith standing in the "gray" area, not standing firm in your belief as to not to "offend" anyone, you are against God. His people stand out from the rest. We don't "blend" in any "gray" areas. That sometimes means having to endure persecution from non-believers for our faith. It will happen, but God gives us what we need to endure it and stand our ground. We should be living out of our love and gratitude for God, for His gift of grace and living to please Him alone. We are not perfect, but believers strive for perfection, through Christ who is able to make us strong when we are weak.
"And He said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."-2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.-Philippians 4:13
A life lived for Christ gains far more riches and glory than a life lived for the world could ever bring. In one day, you could lose it all and you can't take it with you. Store up your treasures in heaven, live for the Lord and receive the crown of life.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:-Matthew 6:19
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.-1 Timothy 6:9-10
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."-Hebrews 13:5
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