The Teachings of the World6 min read

The second main enemy of every believer is the world, that is, the people, systems, and philosophies that are not part of the Body of Christ. First Corinthians 3:19 says, “The wisdom (philosophies) of this world (systems and peoples) it is foolishness with God…,” and so as believers it is essential to know truth. Only the Truth can set us free, both as believers and unbelievers. In this article, we will look at essential teachings that the world clings to so that we, as believers, will understand why it is foolishness with God and what happens when we compromise. This world, its teachings, its thrills, its systems – they all come to a tragic end. How devastating it is for the believers to cleave to this! We are in the world, but not of it in the least. We must remember the difference.

The Teachings on Christ

When it comes to the person of Christ, some would deny His Deity, some would deny His unique ability to save and to save fully, and some would even deny His existence. To the world, He is no one special; and by its attitude and its actions, the blood of Christ is trodden under foot. But this is the Saviour of the World! To us, He is precious, as the apostle Peter writes (1 Peter 2:7). Christ must mean everything to us.

And so, as believers surrounded by the world, we must utterly take a stand for Christ; the gospel (the doctrine of Christ) must never be compromised. His Deity, His virgin birth, His saving and complete work, His bodily resurrection – we must stand for these truths, even unto death if need be. Here are some simple, practical keys for us when it comes to the standing for Christ: 1). Live in worship: it’s difficult to deny the One you become close to. 2). Learn the gospel; study Christ. 3). Remember the cost of our salvation: it’s hard to deny the One Who means everything and gave everything for you.

The Teachings on Self

There are a couple characteristics which describe the teaching on mankind in the world today: 1). Man is generally good: “Most men will proclaim every man his own goodness; but a faithful man, who can find?” 2). Humanism: the belief that man is god. Most messages (sadly, even is some ‘Christian’ circles) are ones focused on uplifting self and magnifying man.

But what does Scripture teach, and what must we stand for? It’s simple: directly the opposite of the world’s teaching. Man’s nature is sin, and even his righteousness is as filthy rags before God. And even more extreme is that we don’t even deserve a kind look from God. Let us never lose sight of true humility – a humility that remembers God for Who He is and man for who we are. Let us never lose sight of the fact that our truth is never absolute… but God is. Stand firm, not on a self-centered outlook, but on a God-focused humility.

The Teachings on Life

The teaching of the world on life is a terribly sad one indeed. Recorded in Scripture concerning the philosophy of man are these words: “Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.” “Life, the is reduced to weekends, paychecks, and quick thrills!” as one evangelist said. Solomon, the one who had it all, said these words: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity.” (Ecc. 1:2). Ecc 1:14 “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc 2:11 “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecc 2:17 “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc 2:18 “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.”

But, gladly, we can know that life can be lived in meaning and future hope through Christ: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Cor. 15:42-44). God teaches that life is precious. The world contradicting that has resulted in devastation – suicide, abortion, genocide, drugs, etc. As believers, it is essential to cleave to our hope. It’s all we really have to hold to.

The Teachings on Sin

Finally, when it comes to the world’s teachings on sin, it is a teaching based on immorality and a desensitized attitude to it. The love of money, pervading today’s society, is a root of all evil. Homosexuality, accepted among the world, is even accepted among some “churches.” Divorce is just the norm. And no doubt that divorce rate would be higher if couples actually married before living together. These abominations to the Lord are simply just the “way of life” for many, and they are accepted by most to be just fine. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand for godliness and it will only get worse. But what does Paul say? “Abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good.” No matter the size, no matter the severity, sin is sin. We have the duty and privilege to stand away from it, regardless of majority opinion.

Sadly, though, we compromise. We watch increasingly immoral and profane videos; we say words that don’t exactly match the believer’s vocabulary. Many churches focus, not on Biblical practices, but on entertainment; they accept sin, they question Christ, they elevate man rather than God. The list goes on. This is clearly the age of the lukewarm church to which our Lord said in Revelation 3:15,16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

What, then, can we do? We can stand for truth! Like the apostles, we must defend the doctrine of Christ, live separate and godly lives, and even die if need be for our faith. How willing are we to stand for truth, to develop godly convictions, to reach as many (saved or not) for the sake of the Truth as possible? We must overcome the world. How? Perhaps the following Scriptures may be of help. Look them up on your own time.
– 2 John 1:7
– 1 John 5:19
– Ephesians 6:12
– James 4:4
– 1 John 5:4-5

How, then, do we overcome? By our faith in the Son of God. If we know nothing else when going into this world, let us remember this: cling to the Truth – The Lord Jesus Christ.