Worldliness by C.J.Mahaney

Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney

Today, the greatest challenge facing American believers is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world. Charles Spurgeon wrote 150 years ago, “Worldliness is growing over the church; she is mossed with it.”

Would I be able to tell you apart? Would I be able to discern a difference between you and your converted neighbor, coworker, classmate or friend? Have the lines between Christian and worldly conduct in your life become so indistinguishable that there is really no difference at all?

What dominates your mind and stirs your heart? Is it discontentment with your life? Longings for earthly pleasures? Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness? Or is your prayer life characterized by heartfelt supplications for God’s will to be done and His kingdom to come?

Do you covet the esteem and crave the approval of those around you? do you go to great lengths to avoid looking foolish or being rejected for your Christian faith? Do you consider present and material results more important than eternal reward? Have you departed from God and adopted idols instead? Are you at war with God?

Worldliness does not consist in outward behavior, though our actions can certainly be an evidence of worldliness within. But the real location of worldliness is internal. It resides in our hearts.

John Calvin wrote, “the evil in our desires often lies not in what we want, but in the fact that we want it too much.”


If you’re more excited about the release of a new movie or video game than about serving in the local church, if you are drawn to people more because of their physical attractiveness or personality than their character, if you are impressed by Hollywood stars or professional athletes regardless of their lack of integrity and morality, then you have been seduced by this fallen world.

Do you want the world to lose its appeal? Then crowd out worldliness by filling your affections with the cross of Christ. Crucify the world as dead and undesirable thing by meditating on the love of the Savior.

Charles Spurgeon urged us to “dwell where the cries of Calvary can be heard.”

We must fight worldliness because it dulls our affections for Christ and distracts our attention from Christ. Worldliness is so serious because Christ is so glorious.