Playing With Fire: Befriending The World

The church's habit of playing with fire is getting the church burnt. 

The Christian church has befriended the world is so many ways, that it is unable to discern right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14). Popular cultural has so been absorbed into the church, that the church is blinded to its effects and unable to conceive in its mind what holiness or righteousness even are. This is an enormous stumbling block, and an obstacle which prevents the church from being what God has called it to be. Yet the true Church cannot ultimately fail, those who are the called are the true Church. It is the institutional "church" which fails to live up to its professed calling. 

This is not a process which happened over night, but a process that has been going on since Christianity began; only perhaps to be expanded and easily exampled in recent decades. This is a tragedy which can only be prevented or solved by radical faith, and a willingness to risk ridicule and temporary discomfort for the treasures of heaven (Hebrews 11:6). 

What is sad, very, very, sad, is that few professing Christians, know, or even care. This is only evidence of the craftiness of Satan, and the dominion he wields over those who fail to use the power for deliverance which is available through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To those who grow up in the worldly "Christian" church, this type of talk seems to them to be nonsense. Something must awaken them, and unblind them or they cannot understand. 

Reason for but a moment... Not only is the Church's love of the world condemned in scripture as sin, but it is not even logical. How can a Christian profess to be a Christian, when they fill their minds with the same things as those who are not Christian. Can we really continue to fool ourselves into believing that we are Christians when we watch and hear movies, music and television which blasphemy God and promote what His Word detests? How can we say "Oh, we're mature enough to handle it." Really? I guess that's what the devil wants you to think isn't it. God knows the saturation of the minds of individuals with television and modern music has corrupted them nearly beyond repair. Dare we promote what God hates and excuse ourselves by saying "it's just for entertainment." Entertainment in its self, (for no other purpose), is nothing other than an excuse to delay doing that which God has for us to do (James 4:17). That is why there is no excuse for "cheap" entertainment. "Cheap" entertainment is herein defined as entertainment that does not teach some lesson or value to make us the wiser and better equipped for the purpose we as Christians have. We must ask ourselves if our acting or thinking places us within the will of God as it is proclaimed by scripture; weather it diminishes or allows or enhances the fulfillment of verses such as Romans 12:1-21, Colossians 3:17 and Philippians 4:8. 

I would venture so far as to say that many professing Christians do not even know what "the world" refers to in the phrase "love not the world." Neither do they understand what "befriending the world" is. In part, they imagine it as gross materialism or illegal acts to avoid doing; they fail to realize that it involves every aspect of their life; that they have been living in error, deceived into thinking that music, television and dress do not affect who they are. To love God, and not the world, is not something which can be done without deliberate effort; and yet, it cannot be done by the will of man (John 1:13, Romans 9:16). We must actively guard against the craftiness of the devil, and not be unwise dealing with an enemy which we, apart from Christ, are powerless to withstand (Matthew 10:16). The cares of this world have choked the spiritual life of many, and the love of it has turned many aside to death and destruction, though they know it not (Mark 4:19, 1 Timothy 6:9).

Not only have churches befriended the world; they have redesigned themselves by the philosophies and standards of the world. To the extent that they have done this, they have lost the power of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; giving themselves to be naught but institutions of man, becoming fodder for the fire of the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:10-11, Luke 3:9).

The verses below have much to do with this subject, and their reading provides further insight into what it means to obey and believe the God of the Bible concerning the key topic of avoiding worldliness. We can see from the verses below that it is desirable to be unspotted from the word, and to deny friendship to the world. We also observe that those who love the world are enemies of God, and that those who are chosen by God are hated by the world. We also see that the Gospel is foolishness to the world which is perishing, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. 

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. – James 4:4 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. – John 15:19

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  – 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

He That Overcometh: He In Whom The Word Of God Abideth

Overcoming? These days many “Christians” do not want to think about overcoming Sin, Satan and the World. Many even point to John 16:33 and claim that Jesus overcame the world for us. True it is that Jesus overcame the world, but to claim that we do not also need to overcome it is to deny scripture. To claim that men need not overcome is to deny belief and faith, it is to deny being born again, it is to deny regeneration. We can see that we, apart from God in us, cannot overcome anything. But “whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” (1 John 5:4) The victory that overcometh the world is our Faith. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

Because of God in us we overcome the spirits of antichrist which are in the world. God is greater than those antichrists for “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (See 1 John 4:3-4)

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” In Revelation 12:9-11 “…they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb…and they loved not their lives unto death.”

We are to be willing and even to expect to suffer for Christ, to bear our cross, not to live for self, but to consider ourselves dead. We are to deny ourselves, to reckon ourselves, (our old man of flesh) to be dead with Christ that we may live with Christ. (Luke 9:23, Colossians 3:3, Mark 8:34, Matthew 16:24, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Timothy 2:11)

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:3-11

In 2 Peter 2:19-20 we read of those who are overcome, because they have been entangled and are in bondage to the pollutions of the world. When we overcome through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ then we escape corruption and are not overcome by the world.

In 1 John 2:13-14 John, when writing to the young men says that they have overcome the wicked one. How did they overcome the wicked one according to John? They overcame because the word of God abideth in them!

Does evil ever overcome good? The two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 are overcome and killed by the beast, but only after they had finished giving their testimony before the world. (Those two witnesses prophesied a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. They had power over heaven that it rained not, they had power to breath fire out upon their enemies, and they had power to smite the earth with all plagues whenever they wanted to.) After they were killed they which dwelt on the earth made merry and rejoiced. But Look! After three and a half days “the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” (See Revelation 11:11-12)

Evil may for a time appear to overcome good, but it Never will. Satan and his demons, those fallen angles, and those men who do not come to love and believe that Christ Jesus is who he says he is have much to Fear.

What is the reward for overcoming?

Jesus said “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7)

Jesus said “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Rev. 2:11)

Jesus said “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Rev. 2:17)

Jesus said “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Rev. 2:26, also see 2 Timothy 2:12, Rev. 20:6)

Jesus said “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev. 3:5, also see Rev. 4:4, Matthew 17:2, Matthew 28:3, Luke 9:29, Daniel 7:9, John 20:12, Acts 1:9-10, Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9)

Jesus said “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Rev. 3:12)

Jesus said “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. 3:21)

Jesus said “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev. 21:7)

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” - 2 Timothy 2:3-14

The ten kingdoms of the beast shall “make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (See Revelation 17:10-14)

See the Hymn "IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR?"

A Sinful View of the Holy Bible

Many Churches today believe and promote false and unbiblical teachings. It appears that this is largely due to their sinful, incorrect, worldly view of the Holy Bible. Viewing the Holy Bible as anything other than completely Holy, Important and as the Authority and the very word of God is Sin.

If you believe the Holy Bible has mistakes you are in error and sin. It is not acceptable to choose the parts of the Holy Bible you like and to disregard the rest.

In Acts 13:46 there are some who do not accept the word of God, and because they do not accept it they are judged to be unworthy of everlasting life.

In John 12:48 Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

Throughout the new testament Jesus and the apostles always refer to the old testament scriptures as an authoritative source. Mark 12:10, 15:28, Luke 4:21, John 2:22, 7:38, 7:42, Galatians 4:30, and 1 Timothy 5:18 are just a few examples.

In 2 Peter 3:16 reference is made to Paul’s epistles being scripture.

In 2 Timothy 3:13-17 we read; “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Notice what scripture is given for and that it leads the man of God to be perfect. Therefore we cannot improve upon the scripture by adding or diminishing from it. We cannot add doctrines and commandments of men. Nor can we ignore any part of the scriptures.

In “The Book Nobody Knows” by Bruce Barton (Publishers Grosset & Dunlap, New York, printed in America 1926) a false and sinful view of the Bible is exampled. On page 15 Bruce writes speaking of the Holy Bible that “It is worth knowing. Not all of it, of course.” He goes on to discuss 1 and 2 Chronicles as being unimportant. These evil statements are only the beginning of his wicked views of the Holy Bible.

In the commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Vol. 2 revised edition 1975 by William Barclay. Published by the Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) by William Barclay a short quote from his comments on Matthew 12:38-42 is below.

“Here we have a problem….It is to be noted that these are not the words of Jesus, but the explanation of Matthew….The fact is that Matthew understood wrongly the point of what Jesus said; and in so doing he made a strange mistake…” Here William is referring to what Jesus said in Matthew 12:40. William did apparently not understand how the statement Jesus made could be true, so he falsely assumed that Matthew made a mistake in writing the Gospel. It is utter foolishness to assume that the word of God is incorrect simply because we cannot understand it. With this attitude we are merely choosing to believe only that which we find acceptable, only that which supports the beliefs we already have. Rather we need to be ready to change our beliefs in light of what the scripture says.

We must learn to view the scripture as did Jesus and the Apostles, and as those of the Protestant Reformation who risked there lives to translate the Bible into their language and as those who risk death just to read the word of God. For it is through the scriptures that Faith in Christ can be found. Through faith in Christ we are set free from sin, and can be in the light, knowing the truth.

Don’t get pricked by the needle!

At the farm where I sometimes work we have a syringe to which a needle is attached which is used to give oxytocin injections to certain cows. There is one fellow who used to work there who appeared to think outside the box a bit more than others. One day he said “Here” as he threw to me the syringe with the attached needle. I was attempting to catch it, but at the last moment I stepped back and withdrew my hands because I thought that if I caught it I would surely prick my hand. He was pleased that I did not attempt to catch it at all costs. Because of course I did not have to catch it, though at first I assumed I did, but before it was too late I realized I did not. He said that the last person he threw it to caught it and got pricked. (Perhaps he should not be throwing needles at people, but the point was made).

I share this because in many ways we will be in a dangerous situation if we make assumptions or if we believe everything we hear. This story was not really a dangerous situation. But if we consider its parts; the needle, the thrower, the message of “Here” and the assumption that we must catch it, and us, and our reaction, and the results of our action. We could imagine the needle as sin (which leads unto death) and its thrower as Satan and the message and its accompanying assumption as the doctrines of men. Then also there is us; that is, each one of us and our reaction, and the results. So this could be compared to Satan deceiving men so that they work for him by spreading messages which leads others to sin, and we who are deceived by these messages sin (catch the needle) and receive death (Hell) as the consequence of believing (being deceived by) Satan. The reason we “catch the needle” is because we believe the lie that we must catch it. I guess I’d better give an example. One false doctrine taught by men (who believe Satan) is that any true thing cannot offend many “Christians.” Some actually believe (make-believe) that if a particular teaching is judgmental to many who call themselves Christians that that particular teaching is a lie. This of course is a logical fallacy, appealing to the common misconception that “if everyone else is doing it, it must be alright” The danger is that if the Bible teaches a thing which many who call themselves Christians do not believe, than we assume that we do not have to believe it either, so we don’t believe it. In doing this we deny the scripture, and its words condemn us because we don’t yield to it. And this brings us to another common lie; that God would not be so cruel as to deny us life simply because we were believing other Christians (rather than the word of God). We’ll here is a news flash; WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ? Remember that we deserve nothing but Hell and God Loves us so much. Cannot we lay down our pride and selfishness for just a moment to seek him? Where the scriptures written is vain? Is the word of God for naught? So now you know what I mean when I say Don’t get pricked by the needle!

Part of the solution is that we need to be able to think out side the box. (in the sense that we are unconformed to the world and only conformed to Christ (Romans 8:29, 12:2)) God does not confine himself to working inside a box (neither indeed can he). Likewise, it is impossible for us to put God in a box. (By in a box I mean restricting who God is in opposition to what the scriptures teach, we do this by believing lies, any lie we believe gives us a false picture of reality, and lies are taught everywhere, we can only renew our minds and look to God to teach us) When we do put God in a box then God becomes god. Then he is no longer the God of the Prophets and Apostles, no longer the God of the Holy scriptures, no longer the God of reality. Then he becomes a god of our imagination who cannot save us, nor empower us, nor ultimately do any thing for us except inflate our bent to sin.

“With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.” 2 - Samuel 22:26-34

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” -Proverbs 30:5-6

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” - Isaiah 40:8

And Jesus Said;

“And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” -Luke 8:21

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” -Luke 11:28

What Does the Scripture Say ?

This is the question we need to ask and apply to every aspect of our lives.


There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. - Pro 16:25

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. - Deu 12:32

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for onecutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. - Jer 10:2-4

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? - Gal 4:8-16

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7:6-13

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, - Col 2:14-20

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” - Proverbs 3:1-7

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (We cannot improve upon “perfect” by adding to the scriptures).

What do these verses tell us?

We cannot merely do what seems right. We are to be separate from the world and we are not to follow the traditions of men nor the vain ways of the heathen. Nor are we to pattern Christian worship after the ways that the heathen worship their gods. We are to only do and believe what the Bible instructs us to do and believe. How can this fact be applied today to Christianity? How has the world pervaded the church?

We must believe and obey the scriptures, renewing our minds (Psalm 51:10) and receiving instruction (Proverbs 1:7, 8:33, 9:9, 10:17, 13:18, 15:32) . Or else we may be like that man in James 1:20-27 who is a hearer of the word and not a doer. He sees himself as in a mirror but then goes his way and immediately forgets his appearance. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” - James 1:22