• Ephesians 2:1-3
    And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
     
  • 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
     
  • 1 John 2:15-17
    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
     
  • 1 John 5:19
    We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
     


Related Scriptures

  • Romans 8:7
    Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
     
  • Revelation 12:9
    So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
     
  • John 8:43-45
    Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
     

For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Spirit of this World


Resources

A Primer On Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Spirit is an invisible force, the effects of which are clear by its manifestations. Spirit can be discerned by thinking through and evaluating its effects.


What Is the Holy Spirit?

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

Even theologians admit that the Holy Spirit is a mystery to them. Yet the confusion comes from pagan thought patterns that have affected how Scripture is read.


The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There are varieties of spirit, motivating people to 'go with the flow' and conform to a sheep-like mob psychology. Satan's spirit encourages sinfulness.


The Christian and the World (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Help in following God comes from displacing the love for the world with the love for God, and setting our hearts on spiritual treasures instead of earthly ones.


The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In most biblical contexts, 'spirit' refers to the invisible, internal activating dimension of the mind. Synonyms include heart, mind, and thoughts.


Man's Natural Spirituality

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Every community has a handful of souls who lead lives of self-sacrifice. Why do we struggle to do good, yet some people seem to do it so naturally?


The Christian and the World (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The prince of the power of the air is responsible for influencing the zeitgeist (dominant mindset of the time), pulling us away from God and His law.


The Christian and the World (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The entire world is antagonistic to God because of the spirit generated by an unseen ruler. Our Christian duty is to stay awake and keep our guard up.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Spirit of this World