The world, as described, is not God's world, despite His role as Creator, Owner, and Ruler. The systems that operate our cultures—government, politics, entertainment, fashion, religion, business ethics, medicine, health care, culinary tastes, social programs, institutions, education, science, technology, economics, and use of power—are not His. These systems, derived from a moral connotation of being apart from God, shape humanity's belief systems, attitudes, and conduct. God's Word urges us to overcome these appealing yet deceptive systems, advising against wasting love on them as they have no future. This world is so corrupt that it will be destroyed and replaced in the restitution of all things. At the foundation of this world stands a destroying and antagonistic spirit, satan the devil, the ruler of this world. His way is a deadly mixture of good and evil, incapable of producing purely good fruit. God's warning about the world is strong, calling for separation from unbelievers and avoidance of what is unclean. Not one part of this system will carry over into the world to come, as it contaminates and defiles, rendering unholy those touched by it. Even when the world seems friendly and tolerant, producing apparently good things, it remains unclean in God's judgment, and the mixture of good and evil still yields a poisonous brew.

The concept of the world, as explored through the New Testament term "cosmos," carries profound spiritual, moral, and ethical implications. Cosmos, a word adopted from the Greek language, was given a unique usage by the apostles, distinct from its original Greek meaning of order and adornment. In the Scriptures, it often appears in a negative light, representing a system opposed to God. This term is used to denote various cultures developed since Adam and Eve, portraying them as transient, worthless, and evil, whether the evil is physical or spiritual. It is seen as the seat of cares, temptations, and irregular desires, combined with the influence of the prince of the power of the air, leading to disobedience. Cosmos appears 188 times in the New Testament, used by every writer, indicating its significant role in understanding the spiritual landscape. Unlike its neutral or positive connotation in Greek as something beautifully ordered, the apostles infused it with a sense of evil, reflecting the spiritual origins of the world's cultures as being in deadly opposition to God. The whole world is described as lying under the control of the evil one, with satan having considerable power, subject to God's ultimate authority and restraint for His purposes. This paints a sobering picture of a world in rebellion against Almighty God, driven by a spirit that is deceitful, incurably sick, and incapable of repentance. This spirit, originating from satan, motivates the unconverted and continues to influence even those who have made a covenant with God, showing through carnal conduct that mirrors the characteristics of the devil rather than the image of God. The antagonism between the world and God's people is deep, fundamental, and perpetual, creating two distinct communities—the church and the world. Jesus Christ warns that because of the union with Him, His followers will be hated by the world, as they are perceived as part of His body, striving to inherit the earth while the world seeks to retain it. The opposition, though appearing to come from men, has its true source in the spiritual realm, with principalities and powers driving the conflict. The story of Demas serves as a solemn warning, illustrating a man who, despite being in a privileged position alongside Paul, succumbed to the world's allure, loving it more than Christ and abandoning principle, duty, and honor. This danger envelops all, as the world stands in deadly antagonism against God, His way, and His people, driven by the unseen prince of this world. It is essential to remain vigilant and guard against this pervasive influence by choosing the spiritual reality over the physical one.

The concept of the world, as derived from the Greek term "cosmos," signifies mankind under the present order of things, often depicted as evil, transient, and worthless, subject to the power of the evil one. This understanding reveals a clear division between God and His children on one side, and the world on the other, highlighting a fundamental opposition. As Ephesians 2:2 indicates, all have lived according to the course of this world, following a path or way that is influenced by the spirit of this age. The term "course," translated from the Greek "aion," further emphasizes this path or manner of life, akin to a race course or a chosen procedure, reflecting the accustomed way of the world. This spirit of the world, which shapes human nature into something evil after birth, contrasts with the purity intended by God. It is through contact with this spirit that individuals turn from God, absorbing influences that lead them astray. Human nature, though capable of good acts, remains intrinsically evil and unacceptable for the Kingdom of God, necessitating a complete replacement through conversion and transformation. This process aims to remove the spirit of this world from individuals, aligning them with the purity of our Heavenly Father. The pervasive influence of this world's spirit can manifest even in those being converted, as it lies just below the surface, ready to emerge in actions or words contrary to God's will. God compels choices between Him and the spirit of this world, testing the depth of love and faith in individuals. Without the love of God, one remains defenseless, inevitably siding with the world and unable to choose obedience. The love of God, shed abroad in the heart by His Spirit, enables a relationship with Him, fostering choices that favor His way over the world's allure. The struggle against the world requires denying the old nature, which finds its source and activation in the evil one, in every aspect of life. This ongoing battle involves daily choices, sacrifices, and the exercise of faith and love to displace the influence of the world. Jesus Christ's teachings, foundational in resisting the world, emphasize setting the heart and mind on treasures aligned with God's purpose rather than material desires, which can become misplaced treasures leading away from the Kingdom of God.

The concept of the world, as God defines it, is central to understanding the Christian struggle. In Ephesians 2:2, the term "course" translates from the Greek "aion," meaning path or way, and more specifically, the characteristics of a given period of time, often rendered as "age" in modern translations. Secular historians recognize this phenomenon, naming ages like the Dark Ages, Renaissance, or Technological Age, based on distinct traits that define those times. The German term "zeitgeist," meaning spirit of the times, captures this essence, reflecting how Paul describes walking according to the spirit of the times or the spirit of a system. This spirit shapes individuals and societies, varying in morality, energy for exploration, or periods of tranquility across different eras. From God's perspective, this spirit of the world is inherently evil, influenced by the prince of the power of the air, who works in the children of disobedience. This immaterial power profoundly affects human thought and worldview, deceiving mankind into an anti-God way of life on a global scale, as seen in Revelation 12:9. Despite human capacity for good, as acknowledged by Jesus Christ, the mixture remains corrupt in God's eyes without transformation through His Spirit. The course of this world, embedded within us, must be overcome to align with God's pure motivations and conduct. The spirit of the world continues to exert influence even on Christians, as illustrated by Peter's momentary alignment with satanic thought despite close proximity to Christ. This ongoing battle requires active resistance, as neutrality is impossible. Jesus Christ's teachings, such as in Luke 11, warn that satan, a strong adversary, does not passively relinquish control, necessitating constant vigilance and effort from believers. In Matthew 6:19-24, Christ advises against laying up earthly treasures, emphasizing that where one's treasure is, there the heart will be, underscoring the impossibility of serving both God and the world simultaneously. The heart, representing the mind and the source of all life activities, is crucial in this conflict. It can be swayed by the spirit of the world, pulling individuals toward earthly desires unless guarded diligently. Jesus Christ's instruction to set affections on heavenly things, as opposed to the perishable attractions of this world, is vital. The world and its lusts are passing away, and focusing on eternal treasures protects against deception by sensual and temporal enticements. Thus, God places believers in a position to choose between Him and the world, urging a deliberate choice for eternal life through faith and will.

The world, as shaped by Satan with the aid of his demons and deceived men, poses a constant danger to our faith in God. There is no escaping contact with the world, yet we must avoid being deceived into conforming to it. The term "cosmos" portrays mankind alienated from God throughout history, while "aion," or the spirit of the times, reflects specific periods marked by distinct characteristics that Satan customizes to deceive and destroy, under God's overarching rule. This invisible influence of concepts and ways of life antagonistic to God emanates from the system Satan has created, fine-tuning attitudes across different eras to lead us into disloyalty to God. Jesus warned of an intense deception in the times we live in, urging vigilance against being misled. The world's influence, designed by a master craftsman skilled at disguising his intentions, remains ever-present and attractive to human nature, necessitating constant vigilance. God commands us not to love the world, indicating a spiritual attachment that conflicts with loving the Father. This attachment to the world, as a lifestyle denying God's way, cannot coexist with love for Him, as no one can serve two masters. John identifies three broad categories of sin in the world—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride—all of which are spiritual influences not from the Father but from the world itself. These lead to idolatry, the primary danger of the world to Christians, as they exalt human desires and accomplishments over God. The world's system, based on men's desires, greedy ambitions, and glamour, stands in opposition to the Father's will. The world's fleeting existence and shallow pleasures contrast with the eternal security of a child of God who aligns with His will. Though in the world, the church is not of it, uniquely separate as the Israel of God, fitting nowhere within the world's systems. The world's influence, where our carnal nature was formed and feels most comfortable, constantly pressures us to revert to old habits and attitudes antagonistic to God. Jesus warns that association with the world is perilous due to its consistent anti-God stance, pulling us toward idolatry and disloyalty through sin. We must resist this pull, recognizing that human nature, formed in the world, remains drawn to it, requiring discipline to prevent domination by these yearnings.