Lord’s Day, Vol. 11 No. 28
What Is Wrong With the World?
– Be Not Conformed to This World (Romans 12:2a)
Church Camp Message 2:
Why does the mind need renewal? It is after the mind is renewed, that a man is able to appreciate that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect (wholesome).
Before the minds are renewed, believers do not appreciate God’s ways. We struggle with accepting the will of God. Why do we struggle? Because our minds are filled with the world’s system and the world’s value. This is a hindrance to the progress of our spiritual life.
The mind is therefore the battleground, the battle begins in the mind between the world’s way and God’s way, the world’s ideology and the will of God, battle between the world and the Word.
The Apostle Paul says we are not to conform to the values and system of the world. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2a, “Be not conformed to the world”…
The word “conform” means “form or mould after, be conformed to, be guided by.”
συσχηματίζω suschēmatízō – from sún – together with, and schēmatízō – to fashion. To fashion alike, conform to the same pattern outwardly.
The word “world” or “aion” literally means “age” referring to the present sinful age, the world system dominated by Satan, the “god of this world.” [MacArthur]
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Source or Origin of the World’s Ideology – Satan
How did Satan become the god of this world? When he rebelled against God in Heaven. Satan was the first to sin against God among all the created beings. Sin began in heaven with the fall or rebellion of the most beautiful of God’s archangels, called Lucifer, against God. Isaiah 14:12-15 recorded it. The root cause of Satan’s sin was his pride.
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
The middle letter of the word “PRIDE” is the letter “I”. Notice in verses 13-14 that the conception of sin begins first in the heart with the five-fold self-exaltation and the fourfold condemnation in verses 12 & 15. It was “I will” versus “God’s will”.
Notice it began in the heart, no actions taken yet. Sin is first conceived in the heart.
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. A haughty spirit, a proud heart, is not seen by others but are known only to oneself and definitely to God. How we need to nip it in the bud and repent immediately!
Lucifer allowed the wicked thought of rebelling against His Creator God to fester in the heart, notice the development of thought – I will ascend into heaven, I will then exalt my throne above the stars of God, then I will sit upon the judgment seat of God and I will ascend above the heights of the clouds and finally I will be like the Most High. The anointed cherub of God wanted to be like God.
Satan is a tempter. He tempted man to sin against God by partaking the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After man sinned, he tries to push the blame and punishment away from himself. Eve, for instance, excused herself by blaming the serpent, “the serpent beguiled me,” and Adam blamed Eve, “the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me…” (Genesis 3:12-13). Man has only himself to blame.
Dear brethren, we have only ourselves to blame. Adam & Eve could have chosen not to sin, not to yield to temptation, but they made a conscious decision to go against God, His Word and thus His will. They were not consecrated, separated and transformed. They fell.
Man was not without help either. If man had cried to God for help in the Garden of Eden, it would have been given to him. The Bible tells us, 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
When man sinned, he truly died in these ways: He became (1) dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1) (2) subject to physical death (Genesis 3:19) and (3) liable to “the second death” which is eternal condemnation in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:6, 14).
The believer has been rescued by Christ from eternal death and is no longer dead in sin but spiritually alive unto God through Christ. He has the strength, by God’s grace, to choose not to sin.
There is a new nature that God has created in Him that is contrary to the evil ways of this world, ruled by Satan. Therefore the call by the Apostle Paul that we stop allowing ourselves to be fashioned after the pattern of this (evil) age. [Hendriksen]
“Do not conform” is in the present continuous tense and in the imperative, a command to stop allowing ourselves to be fashioned after the present evil age in which we live.
The verb “conform” is also in the passive indicating that conformation is something we allow to be done to us. [MacArthur]
Kenneth Wuest said well “Stop assuming an outward expression which is patterned after this world, an expression which does not come from, nor is representative of what you are in your inner being as a regenerated child of God.”
It is not uncommon for believers to mask themselves as Christians. Unfortunately, it also is not uncommon for Christians to wear the world’s fashions, the world’s vocabulary, the world’s music, and many worldly attitudes – even when those things clearly do not conform to the standards of God’s Word. That sort of living is wholly unacceptable to God. The world is an instrument of Satan, and his ungodly influence is pandemic. This is seen in the prideful spirit of rebellion, lies, and error, and in the rapid spread of false religions that promote self and come under the broad umbrella of “New Age” [MacArthur]
1 John 5:19 (KJV) And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
Unless we are on our guard we are in great danger of falling prey to “the pattern of this evil age.”
The Apostle Paul calls Satan the god of this age to show that he is the ruler of this world. Satan is the adversary of God and His people.
Stop being moulded by the external and fleeting fashions of this age … [Hendriksen]
“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its mould.” [John Phillps]
But undergo a deep inner change [metamorphoústhe] by the qualitative renewing [anakainṓsei] of your mind.” Such a transformation can be wrought only by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). [Hendriksen]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The World’s System is Satan’s System
The word “world” here represents the sum of the demonic-human philosophy of life led by Satan. [MacArthur]
This is first seen in the cults – a perversion, distortion of biblical Christianity and rejection of the historic teachings of the Christian church.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
We see also the occult phenomenon: these include witchcraft, magic, palm reading, fortune telling, Ouija boards, tarot cards, satanism, spiritism, demons and the use of crystals balls, ghosts, hypnotism, parapsychology, psychic surgery, Rosicrucianism.
Then there is the non-Christian religion – Hinduism which gave birth to three religious factions: Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Islam. [Handbook of Today’s Religions – Josh McDowell, Don Steward]
Then there are the secular religions – Atheism, Agnosticism and Skepticism, Marxism – descendant of modern-day communism, Secular Humanism, and Existentialism. Marxism and its offspring, Russian Communism, have always maintained world domination as one of its goals. Believing as they do in the inevitability of world revolution and believing that revolution must be aided and abetted by violence, it is against the very nature of the system for Communists to “live and let live”. It is this aspect of domination which poses a grave threat to the world. For Christianity, the conflict becomes most basically a spiritual conflict. In Christianity, Christ becomes the motivating force of all action and is the centre of the culture of believers. Marxism and its proponents – though usually referred to as atheistic – have set up their own guiding force which is history itself. This becomes their god, and the motivation for all activity around this is materialistic. Thus they deny God and Christ and spiritual power in history and culture. [Thomas O. Kay, The Christian Answer to Communism, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961, pp. 11,12]
The Bible tells us there is a supernatural warfare going on: Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
One purpose of Jesus Christ’s coming to earth was given by the Apostle John to us in 1 John 3:8 (KJV) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Satan’s Evil Character
There are no less than 22 names and titles to describe Satan, giving us insight into his evil character and his evil reign over this world.
In Ephesians 2:2, he is called the prince of the power of the air. In John 12:31, he is called the prince of this world. In Ephesians 6:12, he is called the ruler of the darkness of this world, the enactor of spiritual wickedness in high places. In Revelation 12:7, he is called the dragon who fought against Michael and his angels. In Revelation 20:10, he is called the deceiver. Satan is not only a deceiver but self-deceived. This is the worst deception. He believes that he can defeat the LORD God and His Christ. He is called Beelzebub, the prince of demons in Matthew 12:24. He is called Belial meaning vile and ruthless in 2 Corinthians 6:15. He is called the wicked one. He is the one who sow bad seed (tares) in God’s wheat field (1 John 5:19). He is called the tempter because his first crime against humanity was in enticing Eve to disobey God in Genesis 3. He is called the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12:10. This was the life of Job in the time of his trial. He is called the angel of light cleverly distorting and twisting the Word of God in 2 Corinthians 11:14,15. He is called a liar and a murderer in John 8:44. He inspired Cain to slaughter his godly brother, Abel, thus earning his title as a murderer. He is called the enemy in Matthew 13:39. He is called a roaring lion. A lion is the king of the beasts, and so is Satan, king over demons. Both are powerful and ruthless concerning their victims. [Willmington’s Guide to the Bible]
The designation “world” in the sense of “age”, indicates the temporal duration of this created universe.
Satan has the power to blind the minds of unbelievers. And as the spirit (god) of the age, he has the power to blind the minds of unbelievers. However, Satan has no power over the believers who stand firm in their faith, even though he tries to deceive them – if that were possible.
Matthew 24:24 (KJV) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Jesus warned His disciples not to believe these deceivers so that they will not be unduly disturbed when the prediction is fulfilled.
Mark 13:22 (KJV) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
We are not to conform to the value and system of the world.
What then is the world?
The world is lustful and carnal, it is self-exaltation. Influences of the world, its advertisements are simply pandering to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
1 John 2:15 (KJV) 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 2:16-19 (KJV) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Lust of the flesh (temptation for us to do something – our passions)
Lust of the eyes (temptation for us to have something – our possessions)
Pride of Life (temptation for us to be something – our pride) [Adrian Rogers]
The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, and pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and manoeuvre others to do something for one’s own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: “If it feels good, do it.” (Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.219)
Is life to be merry and happy? Be rich, be famous, be popular, be welcomed. This is the life view of the world without God. Be happy in what sense? If we cannot find the real meaning of life, how can we be happy?
Why the world is wrong? Everything is wrong! How does the world think about success and happiness, fulfilment? Why is it wrong? Why did God say to renew your mind, God gives us His definition.
True Meaning of Life
What is the meaning of life? Is it just being happy? In life, we have to seek meaning. True meaning comes from God.
Life is only meaningful if it is long-lasting. Anything that is not of eternal value is meaningless. Why does God give us eternal life? Then anything He gives with that eternal life becomes meaningful.
Whether it be riches, success, happiness even morality is meaningless if it’s temporal. If life is temporal, morality is meaningless.
When we seek meaning in life we have to go to something that is eternal.
Why does God give us eternal life? If our happiness is temporal, then whether rich or poor, doesn’t matter. A king and a beggar after they die everything ends, then there is no difference after that because everything has ended. What is there to be moral, good or bad? Meaning is only meaningful if it is long-lasting.
In his quest to find fulfilment or satisfaction in life, Solomon in his old age conceded that there is no true happiness without God in the arithmetic of life. He tells us in Ecclesiastes 2:
- The Emptiness of Worldly Pleasures (v1-3)
- The Emptiness of Worldly Possessions (v4-11)
- Emptiness of Worldly Entertainment (v8b-11)
- Nothing New (v12-13)
- Inevitable Death (v14-17)
- The Futility of Accumulating (v18-21a)
- And Leaving It Behind (v21b-23)
Solomon challenges us to consider and weigh and see in perspective the value system wherein we are building our lives. If God is not there in your building plan, it will be a sore disappointment for you at the end of your life. He is challenging us to take time out to review what is truly fulfilling in life.
And the Book of Ecclesiastes shows THAT SEARCH FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE. This search led Solomon farther and farther from his Creator. Then one day, he wakes up and sees that it is all so empty.
Solomon sees no purpose in such a life. How sad Solomon became! He pursued worldly wisdom to its limit and finds it wanting, disappointing, crooked and empty. Solomon shaken by his experience has to accede to his readers that man has to go back to his Creator to find a true perspective to a fulfilled.
And he gave us two biblical ideas for a fulfilled life on earth.
What is the abundant life? True peace, true joy, true abundance, true security, true assurance, true riches, long-lasting, eternal one.
Not bound by sin, carnality. To be free from sin. Our perception is all wrong therefore we need to renew the mind.
Man seeks glory. What is true glory? Ultimate true glory becomes like His Son, as He is we shall be. It is abundance in us not outside us.
Our colleagues or circle of friends and loved ones follow after worldly values and we try to conform ourselves to them. We start to feel that worldly success is more important than growing spiritually. Material growth is more important than spiritual growth. The social upgrade is more important than the spiritual upgrade. The mind’s understanding of growth and success becomes very materialistic, and that’s conforming to the world.
A crowd of self-exalters will result in the Tower of Babel. Technological advancement is resulting in man exalting himself in becoming God – literally, we will become “gods” (Harari), because our minds are connected to AI. Medically, we can edit the gene to remove genetic defects and disease, it means “long life”.
Man that is not saved, not renewed and carnal, will become worse and worse. Death is to cut it off so that evil is not proliferated. Imagine Mao, Hitler, Cao, and Qin still living. God in His mercy stopped sin through death – like the judgment of the global flood, Israel entering Canaan to eradicate everything – man and animals so that sin doesn’t proliferate. How to enslave, and brainwash young people to be their soldiers (Hitler).
We have the potential to become a Hitler and Qin because we have a sinful body. The body is the source of sin. The redemption plan of God is to redeem the body. God did not intend for us to have eternal life in this state. Because of the flesh and blood, the body is sinful. That is why we need to be resurrected with a spiritual body, with not flesh and blood, so that we do not have that carnality any more. Carnality comes from this body, this body has a certain passion, craving, and desire and they are all earthly and fleshly.
Romans 6:6-7 (KJV) 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.
Sin is from the body. It has certain lust, desire, and passion. Because we are still in the body therefore there is this battle going on against sin, against the flesh or body.
Romans 7:17-18 (KJV) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will (to do something good, but I cannot do it) is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:20 (KJV) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:23 (KJV) But I see another law (natural inclination) in my members (body, carnal tendency), warring against the law of my mind (desire in spirit-soul to obey the law of God), and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:25 (KJV) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
There are two laws and two tendencies. The renewed mind loves the law of God and obeys the law of God. But there is another tendency which is the flesh. There is, therefore, a tug of war. A battle that the Christian wage moment by moment, and daily till the day he dies. With the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall have the victory. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee