Over the the past five years or so I have found myself seeking the answer to this question. So much of how modern Christians define themselves is based on their definition of worldliness, and how they seek to frame their lifestyle in a contrasting manner to worldliness. With so much Biblical emphasis on worldliness, and so much encouragement to be different from the world, I personally have struggled to define “worldliness” biblically so that I can become the kind of Christian God intends for me to be. I feel that now I am in a position to explain what I believe to be a biblical and accurate definition for worldliness, and to describe the misconceptions Christians struggle with today concerning this subject.

Idolatry in the Church

KJV: II Corinthians Chapter 6 [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

The above verse is used quite often as an axiom for Christian lifestyle.  The teaching on this verse usually comes down to something along the lines of “there are particular things that define the world, so we as Christians should abstain from identifying with those things.  The last phrase in that verse is also capitalized on because it is typically used as a proof text that God is pleased with our separation.  The problem is though, that this verse alone begs several questions.  First, who are we to come out from among?  Who is Paul speaking of when he says “come out from among them”?  Well, as with any passage of scripture, context is tantamount.  In this verse Paul is quoting from Isaiah 52:11.  In the context of Isaiah, “come out from among them” meant to come out from among the Babylonians.  The Jews had assimilated their lifestyle with certain aspects of the Babylonian lifestyle and Isaiah was giving a command from God to ’separate’ from the Babylonians.   Paul uses this situation along with the command from God to teach the Corinthians something, so now, to find out how Paul is applying this situation we need to look at the context of 2 Corinthians chapter 6.  Look at the preceding statement by Paul…

KJV: II Corinthians Chapter 6 [14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] 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.

Specifically, Paul explains by the context of his own letter what he is referring to when he says “come out from among them”.  Paul is not referring to clothing, music styles, or even geographical location.  Paul is not compelling the Corinthians to leave Corinth!  Paul is compelling the Corinthian Christians to separate from the idolaters and their practices.  For Paul to use this quote from Isaiah is to parallel the association the Jews in Babylon had with the Babylonian idolaters with the association the Corinthians had with idolaters in their day; the exception being that the Jews were commanded to leave Babylon and return to their own land… a land that metaphorically represented rest in Christ.  The application for the Corinthians was not to literally leave Corinth to get away from idolaters, but to mentally, emotionally and spiritually leave the idolatrous practices of the world, and refocus their heart’s attention on Christ.   This leads me to the next question that needs to be answered about 2 Corinthians 6:17.  What does it mean to be separate?

If this were all the information we had, we could assume just about anything was intended by Paul when he made the connection to idolatry in Babylon.  We could assume Paul was referring to the culture of Babylon and the various ways Babylonian idolatry had influenced culture.  We could assume hair styles, community games, clothing, architecture, etc. were all influenced by Babylonian idolatry and were to be separated from by Jews, and by association Christians in Corinth.  In fact, this is exactly what many Christians teach today, and a small faction of these Christians have taken their convictions literally and have moved to communes where they can live safely from the influence of modern day Babylon.   But I would like to pose this question; what is the most widely worshiped idol throughout human history?  The answer is self.  In our western culture we don’t see many people building temples to strange gods and worshiping statues these days, but what we do see, especially in our western culture is a preoccupation with self, and a determination to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  The effects of worshiping self are self-evident; crime has increased, selfish acts abound, workers scratch and claw their way to the top of the company ladder, divorce is at an all time high.  These all are effects of self worship, or humanism.

Humanism: The Face of Idolatry in the Church

Humanism is the face of idolatry today, and Humanism, while not an organized religion that I’m aware of, is unarguably the most practiced religion in the world.  Even Christians unknowingly practice Humanism with selfish motives and pride.   This is the religion that defines the world.  Humanism is perfectly anti-Christian, so we can appreciate Paul’s exhortation to “come out from among them”, or “don’t be numbered with them”.  Paul was telling the Corinthians, don’t be self-serving, worshipers of yourself; but rather focus your attention and affections on Christ.  With this understanding, we can appreciate the following verse that is also used by many teachers today to encourage separation on a physical or literal level.

KJV: I John Chapter 2 [15] 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.

Now, this verse very plainly states that if a person loves the world, then they don’t know the love of God.  But here is the where the confusion starts.  Predominant in today’s Christianity, Christians are under the impression that culture is the difference between Christianity and the world.  Remember, it all starts with a misunderstanding of 2 Corinthians 6:17.  If “coming out from among them” means either physically removing ourselves geographically, or refusing to identify with the world on a cultural level, then a Christian can only assume that they are to either move to a commune, or change the way they look so they are not identified with the world.  But, according to what we’ve already learned, was Paul applying that quote from Isaiah culturally?  No, Paul was applying that quote from Isaiah spiritually.  Humanism is the religion of the world, and as Christians we should disassociate with the world religion of Humanism.  In the verse quoted above, we find even more evidence of this.  The world is referenced by John as it’s maxim’s, aims and principles.  John encourages us to not love the world, or to not strive for the same aims and principles that the majority of the world strives for.  Look at the following context…

KJV: I John Chapter 2 [15] 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. [16] 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. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Lust and pride are at the center of the world’s religion.  John is not encouraging us to change our culture to physically and outwardly disassociate with the culture of the world.  He is encouraging us to love God instead of ourselves.  The exhortation is to flee idolatry; not idolatry as an outward display of affection for a statue or some other silly expression of idol worship; but the exhortation by John is to flee the worship of ourselves.  It’s interesting that even the most sincere Christians can be so selfish in our worship.  We want to give to God, or sacrifice for God, but we want to give God want we want Him to have.  Although on the surface that kind of attitude might seem commendable, in truth it is selfish humanism in disguise.  When we feel prompted to give God or sacrifice to God something that satisfies us alone, we essentially place ourselves before God, and make ourselves a god.  We end up using a veiled sacrifice to God in order to please ourselves.

The Exploitation of Humanism

How does this kind of sacrifice please ourselves you ask?  Our sacrifices usually end up with our own pride being satisfied instead of God’s wishes being being met.  Our flesh desires three things as stated in 1 John 2:16; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Our flesh desires to be comfortable, it wants to be seen by others as beautiful, and it loves to be held in high regard.  Everyone naturally wants to be the focus of praise. We want to be given accolades for our accomplishments.  We want to look good to others, we want to be thought of as one of the beautiful one’s.  We naturally desire to be comfortable so in our flesh we seek out environments which are comfortable.   When observing social environments, it’s becomes increasingly obvious that people in general seek out relationships which are comfortable.  People tend to gravitate to those that are like-minded, who look similar, and who share similar interests.  We do this because it’s comfortable.  We also do not tend to gravitate to social groups that are considered “more beautiful” than we are, because that would leave us feeling inferior, and uncomfortable.  We tend to gravitate toward social groups and cliques that dress with similar fashions because those are the people who will appreciate our sense of fashion, and will most likely appreciate our beauty.   I say all of this to say this…  In the social dynamic of the Church, the majority will rule, and those that don’t conform immediately upon joining that social group, will either leave, or will naturally feel inferior because their flesh is not being satisfied in that environment.  They are uncomfortable because they are not considered beautiful or comely in that environment.   At this point the new member of the Church has a decision to make:  do they leave and find a Church where they feel appreciated, or do they conform?  In many cases they conform to the social norm in order to feel comfortable in that environment.  There is nothing Biblical or pleasing to God about this… it’s simply a social dynamic that is perfectly natural in the flesh.

If this social dynamic isn’t complicated enough, it’s complicated further by the encouragement to change by other Church members.  By teaching that assimilation into the sub-culture of their Church (or more broadly their denomination or camp), they will please God, the Church takes the decision away from the new member, and convinces them that the temptation to conform to the social preferences of that group is not merely a decision for them, but is actually the Holy Spirit prompting them to be more pleasing to God.   Here we find ourselves back at the beginning of this whole issue to begin with.  The immature, although sincere Christian is the one who is made a victim of false teachers using the social dynamic of the Church to influence them.   There will always be false teachers; Jesus, Peter and Jude made that clear in scripture.  The only thing we can do to minimize the effect of false teaching in the church is to inform immature Christians so that they are not so easily exploited with error.

Spirituality or Christian Sub-Culture?

So far we’ve discussed that worldliness is defined as idolatry, we’ve discussed that humanism is the act of idolatry, we’ve discussed that humanism leads to exploitation by false teachers through the social dynamic of the Church, and now I think it’s important to discuss what pleasing God really means.  The following is part of a very long conversation I had with a member of a Church I used to attend that fit the description of the social dynamic I described earlier.  Notice the defense he uses for his change of outward things about himself.  He actually calls these outward changes “spiritual” changes…

David Rydman: “You’re trying to complicate it. It’s simple. You live differently from the world. You don’t physically separate yourself from it, but spiritually separate. You make sure there’s a distinction between you and the world because Christ has made changes to you inwardly.”

My response: “But the only way to define that new culture, is to add to, or assume things that are not explicitly stated in the Bible. True christianity makes no physical distinction from the world except that we live a life of faith, and that our actions display our love for God and love for man. To assume anything more is to add to the scripture.”

Is this not confusing to you too?  What is spiritual about fashion?  Hairstyles?  Bible versions?  The name of your Church?  Yes, these are actually the particular things we were debating.  In reality, as I stated in my response, all the outward things we were discussing were nothing more than cultural identifiers.   We live in a western culture here in America, but we also live in a smaller subset of that culture here in the United States.  Here in the Midwest, there is even a smaller subset of American culture, and within our Midwest culture there are even smaller subsets.  This distinction of sub-cultures can be refined all the way down to small cliques which have their own cultural distinctions if we wish, but in this context I would like to focus on the cultural mindset of Churches which have founded their spiritual legitimacy on their cultural distinctions.   As the above conversation seems to indicate, the mentality of these Churches is that their spiritual standing with God depends on their contrast with other culture.   This is an easy argument to refute logically.  To take their argument to it’s logical conclusion, they would not only need to differentiate themselves from numerous sub-cultures, but also from American culture and western culture altogether; which necessitates much more change than I personally see most of these Christians being willing to make.  Most of them still use phones, they drive cars, the men still dress according to western culture.  The women still dress according to American culture, they just change it ever so slightly to be considered different.  They still use all the creature comforts that western culture affords us.  In fact, interestingly they seem to hang on to all the comfortable and convenient aspects of Western culture.  They still try to look beautiful to the rest of the culture outside of their Church, they still try to assimilate enough to enjoy the conveniences of Western culture, but they change just enough to justify themselves as “spiritual”.    While they try to remain a part of Western culture, they are straddling the fence with one foot on the “spiritual” side (as they call it) in an effort to obey

KJV: II Corinthians Chapter 6 [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

It seems to me that if one would take this passage literally and apply it to a cultural refrain, the only logical conclusion would be to live in a commune devoid of Western culture comforts, speak a different language, and seclude yourself from all outside influence.  In fact, one can at least admire the Amish for their sincerity and courage in this matter.  At least they have the fortitude to give up the conveniences of Western culture and walk obediently to what they believe is the truth.   The Amish are definitely a peculiar people.  I can remember driving through Lancaster county Pennsylvania with my wife and stopping on the side of the road to watch a group of Amish men collecting hay from a field using pitchforks to load it onto a horse-drawn trailer.  I thought as I watched them, “that lifestyle actually seems enticing, why does it seem enticing to me”, I thought as I continued to watch them?  The answer lied in the fact that I was actually sitting on the side of road admiring them.  Pride is the answer.  For me personally, I would love to be Amish and work in fields next to public roads where people could drive by and admire my dedication to the Lord.  But is that what Christianity is?  Of course not, for me to be Amish would be to submit to the humanistic tendencies of my flesh to comfort itself with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.   True Christianity is devoid of pride and lust.  True Christianity does not seek avenues to fulfill the flesh.  The avenues to fulfill the lusts of the flesh are only found in the world and it’s resources.  As Christians we have been reborn, and made new creatures which have a spiritual existence, an existence not dependent on the resources of culture for comfort.  So Paul asks the question in Colossians 2:20….

KJV: Colossians Chapter 2 [20] 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, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Here is the exhortation to forget about the traditions and culture of the world, or as Paul puts it; the “rudiments” of the world.  He says you’re looking in the wrong direction for obedience.  Seeking to be obedient to God is wonderful endeavor for any Christian to be sure.  In fact, to seek obedience, and a desire to please God is a sure sign of true conversion.  But Paul is directing these disillusioned Christians at Colossi to be sure they are pleasing God the way He wants to be pleased.  Personally, I’m not very good at pleasing my wife sometimes.  At Christmas, she usually tells me what she wants for Christmas, but for some reason I end up going out and getting her what I “think” she’ll like, and it’s not usually what she asked for.  My heart is in the right place.  I really do want to please her, and I want her to have a wonderful, surprising day on Christmas day… but inevitably she is not quite as happy with her gifts as she would have been had I just listened to her.  Despite my childlike enthusiasm to give my wife what I “thought” she would want, she is usually discouraged because I didn’t listen to her and get her what she ’said’ she wanted.  A relationship with Christ, as we are His Bride is no different.  We tend to look at the things we like, or we think God will like.. and we offer those things to God as a gift of sacrifice in childlike enthusiasm expecting God to be so pleased with us that our relationship grows in leaps and bounds; but in reality God says in Colossians 2:20 (as quoted above) “Why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?”   I think we’ve already answered that question in detail.  But let’s look at the encouragement by Paul to please God in the right way, which immediately follows the previous passage…

KJV: Colossians Chapter 3 [1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. [5] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Paul said, as new creatures in Christ, with a spiritual identity and with a Savior that sits on the right hand of God in eternity, our attention should not be on worldly things and how we can distinguish ourselves from the world using worldly means; but our attention should be on Heavenly things.  If our attention is on Heavenly things, then the lust of our flesh and pride of life will not be satisfied.  In fact, at the end of verse 5 Paul says all this lust is nothing but idolatry.   Why then do we as Christians put so much of our attention on the things of this Earth; culture, comfort, worldly gain, acceptance, etc.?  Because more often than not, we worship ourselves.  We’re humanists masquerading as Christians with no idea whatsoever we are in fact living a life completely contradictory to anything Christian at all.  We go through religious motions, we do our best to look like a good Christian… but in reality we are nothing but a sub-culture of the world; which makes us still as worldly as any other idolater in the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, very simply, to separate ourselves using the means available to us in the world, is idolatry; and in it’s very essence is anti-Christian.  We as Christians should be focused on Heavenly things.  What distinguishes us as Christians is not cultural things that pacify the lusts of our flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life; but rather the fruits of the Spirit…

KJV: Galatians Chapter 5 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Some of the arguments against this view would include a warning against Antinomianism, and a reminder that we are to live holy and righteous lives.  I agree, in fact Jesus said that our righteousness should exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees whom we know were some of the strictest followers of the law in their day.   Like some Christians today, the logic of the Pharisees was to go the extra mile for God.  If the law said to refrain from work on the Sabbath, they wouldn’t even walk on grass for fear that breaking a blade of it might be construed as work.  We’re told in Matthew 23:5, as Jesus reproved the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, that the even broadened their phylacteries, because since God said to wear them (in Exodus 13:16), they would wear them bigger and better than God required to prove their devotion to Him.  The Pharisees were very sincere to be sure, and very devoted to obedience.  But Matthew 23 contains one of the most harsh rebukes from Jesus as He addressed the Pharisees and their hypocrisy.  What did they do that was so wrong to be rebuked by Jesus so harshly?  They were practicing humanism behind the facade of religious devotion.  Most likely the Pharisees themselves didn’t realize they were serving their own selfish lusts.  Even the Apostle Paul, when he was a Pharisee was full of zeal as he described himself in Philippians 3:6; but in his ignorance he didn’t even realize how full of pride he was at the time.  Jesus gives us a great example of how deceptive this false piety is…

KJV: Luke Chapter 18 [9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The interesting thing about this parable is that the Pharisee gave God the glory for his righteousness.  He says to God “I thank thee, that I am not as other men are”.  What this Pharisee had was not righteousness at all, it was humanism behind the veil of false piety.  He was so deceived by his own flesh that he thought he was in right standing with God.   On the contrary, Jesus describes the truly righteous man; the Publican, a man who made his living abusing his power as a tax collector.  This publican made no attempt to whitewash his lifestyle to appear more righteous to God, in fact, in shame he wouldn’t even lift his eyes to heaven because he was able to confess to himself that he was not worthy to be justified, so he begged for mercy.

A humanist is one that places himself above God.  They see their own needs and wants as preeminent, so their actions naturally make that evident.  Even their supposed acts of worship to God are veiled attempts to catch the eye of onlookers, or to advance their agenda to make themselves more prominent.  But a worshiper of God who’s righteousness exceeds even the most dedicated Pharisee is one who is willing to set aside their own personal desires, and submit to God with a contrite heart, and a clear view of Christ’s perfect righteousness.

KJV: Psalms Chapter 34 [18] The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

If you are one who has allowed yourself to be deceived by your flesh, turn your attention away from all the “things” you’ve been doing to attain righteousness, and turn your attention toward Jesus Christ, the only truly righteous One, and He will impute His righteousness to you.  Turn your attention away from the world, the things of the world.  Cultural differences, clothing styles, hair styles, or prohibition of music styles, activities, or people that engage in those activities will not make you any more righteous, or bring you any closer to God.  Turn your attention from those worldly items and turn your attention to Jesus, make Him the focus of your life because He is the embodiment of God’s infinite grace.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.