Scripture commands believers not to love the world or the stuff of this world, which is all passing away. Some propositions in contemporary life would indicate that what we love is entirely beyond our control. "The heart wants what it wants," "follow your heart" and even "only you can know what's best for you." Jesus tells us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses, that to save our lives, we must lose them, in the worldly sense. In light of these contradictory messages, how are we to practically approach decisions about our lifestyles?
The mass marketing of today urges us to store up treasures on earth, to take for ourselves every imaginable worldly comfort, convenience, pleasure, entertainment, adornment and improvement to our minds, bodies, clothes, houses, relationships, finances, pantries, cars and pets. These calls ought to be deprioritized, scrutinized and debunked thoroughly and regularly. To live for oneself is empty, vain, futile, meaningless, foolish, spiritually suicidal, prideful, evil, dehumanizing, enslaving, desperately lonely, shameful and of course selfish. You may gain the whole world, but you will lose your soul in the process, destroying it with the poison of sin. Scripture tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, "who can know it?" For this reason it would be just as foolish for us to try to purge ourselves of worldliness (with our own self-righteous, fleshly willpower and self-rationalizing comparison with our past selves or others) as it would be foolish to live in unbridled indulgence in all worldly things.
It is only by falling out of love with the world and falling deeply in love with Christ that we can be free from worldliness. "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled" (Titus 1:15). "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving," (1 Timothy 4:4). In the context of pure love for and joy in Jesus and gratitude directly toward him, the things we have and use do not have to defile our consciences. However, to the impure, nothing can really be pure, and to the ungrateful heart, judgment is due for separating the gift from the giver, the creature from the creator. This discussion is complicated by the fact that what one does affects one's affections, and what one sows they will also reap: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8). Then in the next verses, making it clear that Paul is referring to actions, he says: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (verses 9-10). So the actions that we take can either lead to reaping corruption or reaping eternal life. This is a warning that Paul gives to the Galatians after he has just spent several chapters rebuking them for legalistic works! So Paul does want them to consider their works, but it must be "sowing to the Spirit," not just "sowing to his own flesh."
One of the means that God uses in our lives to free us from worldliness is our own regular repentance and renewed commitment to knowing Him. We cannot produce repentance without the Holy Spirit's work in us, and we cannot meaningfully commit to closer fellowship with God without His grace drawing us to do so.
These things may seem rather abstract, but practical examples of what not to include in our lifestyles are risky. Not knowing the specific contenders in another believer's heart, it's difficult to say simply how best to approach a decision that must be guided by a biblical worldview, biblical principals and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We ought to question not just our sinful behaviors, but our outwardly righteous behaviors too! Are they based on self-justification, moral balancing, medicating unresolved issues with God and others? Listing, list-keeping, list-enforcing and list-comparing ought to be replaced by sincere affections, dynamic relationship and Spirit-empowered obedience of faith, in Christ, to the glory of God.
Oh heavenly Father of all mercy, you are worthy of pure, undivided devotion. Forgive me for the worldliness and unbelief of my heart, mind and actions. Transform me through the renewal of my mind as it is written, so that by testing I would discern what is your will, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let me not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments, but sanctify me by the Holy Spirit, because of the salvation purchased for me by Christ on the cross. In the name of Jesus I ask, Amen.
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