Christians who remain influenced by the world display worldliness through conflicts and strife among themselves, revealing that they are not as separated from prior ways as conversion requires. The world consists of the full package of un-Christian attitudes, perspectives, values, and conduct practiced by the unconverted. It acts as a competitor for affection, drawing people back through subtle persuasion that appeals to self-centered inclinations absorbed from early environments, family, and surroundings. Familiarity with these influences breeds contempt for their dangers, allowing the world to shape beliefs and perspectives until they feel comfortable and natural. God judges this present evil age and its inhabitants as evil by His standard, with the self-centeredness honed by circumstances proving destructive. Christians must recognize the world as an enemy that hates them and stands ready to consume them through attractive sights, sounds, and experiences that bend the mind away from obedience. James warns that friendship with the world constitutes enmity with God, using philos to describe the affectionate emotional attachment involved. John refines this by commanding not to agapao the world, stressing willful and determined loyalty rather than mere feeling. Such attachment leads to backsliding, unfaithfulness likened to spiritual adultery, and strife that mirrors worldly retaliation instead of the nonresistant example set by Jesus Christ. Paul instructs believers to stop allowing themselves to be fashioned according to the pattern of this age and to regard the world as crucified and dead to them. Resistance requires standing firm without giving ground, while living and conducting business within the world yet refusing to let it become the center of lifestyle. Without ongoing contact with God, innate self-centeredness develops into extremes fed by worldly cravings, but seeking Him provides the power to fight and overcome these pulls.