The deadliness of worldliness!

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to audio! Download Audio

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James 4:4, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God!"

One diseased man may spread his infection to many others; but ten healthy men cannot impart all their health to another. In the same way, it is quite easy to contract defilement from the ungodly.

It is common for Christians to associate with the world, under an idea of doing good unto them. They forget how much more likely they themselves are to contract evil from them, than to impart to them any substantial benefit.

The apostle Paul cautions us that, "Bad company corrupts good character!" 1 Corinthians 15:33. Experience proves the truth of Paul's warning; for there is scarcely a Christian who needlessly associates much with the world, but he imbibes something of their sentiments; and in heart, declines from God.

I do not mean to say, that all connection with ungodly men should be avoided; for "then we would have to go out of the world." Our duties in civil and social life require some measure of interaction with them.

Yet we should ever be aware of the danger of contagion from the ungodly. We should mix with them as a Physician mixes with his diseased patients; having in our minds a desire to do good to them, and exerting our influence for that end; and then withdrawing when we have fulfilled our duty—happy to breathe a purer atmosphere, and to associate with god-fearing men.

This is the teaching prescribed for us in the Scriptures:

"We are not to be conformed to this sinful world!" Romans 12:2

We are "not to be of this sinful world, any more than Jesus Christ was of it!" John 17:14-16

Nor are we to "love any of the world's ensnaring vanities!" 1 John 2:15-16

Our affections must rather be "set on things above!" Colossians 3:2

We must realize that "our citizenship is in Heaven!" Philippians 3:20

We must be ever on our guard to keep our garments clean! Revelation 3:4

We must recognize that it is almost impossible to come into companionship with the ungodly, without contracting some defilement from them!

"Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty!" 2 Corinthians 6:17-18