World
World
does not refer to the landmass represented by the globe of the earth;
it refers to people, perspectives and practices. When we pray that God
loves the whole world, we mean that God loves all people. However, God
hates the perspectives and practices that belong to the "prince of
this world" (John 12:31), who is Satan (see Satan). That's why Christians
are told not to love (see Love) this world. The important thing to remember
is that the people God loves and the perspectives and practices he hates
are under his control.
The
term world sometimes refers to the perspectives and practices that oppose
God.
Psalm 17:14
Isaiah 13:11
John 7:7; 8:23; 14:17
1 Corinthians 1:21; 5:10
Ephesians 6:12
Colossians 2:8
James 1:27
1 John 4:5
The term world sometimes refers to humankind as a whole.
John 1:10,29; 3:16; 4:42; 8:26
Satan is the "prince of this world."
John 14:30; 16:11
Ephesians 2:2
1 John 5:19
Revelation 12:9
God will punish the world because of its evil.
1 Samuel 13:11
Matthew 18:7
Acts 17:31
1 Corinthians 11:32
The world's wisdom is foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19
2 Corinthians 1:12
Believers should not conform to the world's patterns.
Romans 12:2
Believers are in the world, but are not of the world.
2 Corinthians 10:3
Galations 6:14
Colossians 2:20
James 4:4
1 Peter 1:1; 2:11
Believers will suffer persecution if they choose not to be part
of the word.
John 15:18-19; 16:33
1 John 3:13
Believers can overcome the world through God.
1 John 5:4
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