The Dangers of Worldly Desires and Priorities in Christianity
The Dangers of Worldly Desires and Priorities in Christianity
The Bible warns that worldly desires and priorities can lead Christians astray, choking the word of God in their hearts [4]. Jesus cautions that gaining the whole world is of no profit if one forfeits their soul (Mark 8:36) [3]. The apostle Paul lists "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life" as originating from the world, not from God (1 John 2:16) [9].
Worldly desires manifest in various forms, including selfish ambition, covetousness, and the pursuit of vain pleasures. Paul condemns such behaviors as "works of the flesh" that prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21) [2]. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions can become an idol, distracting believers from their heavenly calling. According to Matthew Henry, worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, as it allows Satan to gain a stronghold on the soul under the guise of a visible profession of religion [8].
The dangers of worldly desires are multifaceted. They can lead to strife and contention, as seen in the examples of Korah, Absalom, and Adonijah, who were driven by ambition [5]. Worldly desires can also result in poverty, sorrow, and disregard for God's judgments (Proverbs 21:17; 14:13; Isaiah 5:12) [1]. Furthermore, indulging in worldly pleasures can lead to greater evil, as illustrated by the story of Herod and Herodias (Matthew 14:6-8) [1].
In contrast, Christians are called to prioritize heavenly things and mortify their earthly desires. Paul exhorts believers to "put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5) [10]. This requires self-denial, a willingness to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live a life controlled by the Spirit (Titus 2:12; Romans 6:12) [6].
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition emphasizes the need for believers to be aware of the dangers of worldly desires and to cultivate a spirit of self-denial. Matthew Henry notes that the world and the flesh are two great enemies that can overpower believers if they yield to them [7]. Similarly, the Baptist/Reformed tradition highlights the importance of avoiding covetousness and living a life of contentment, as it is a key to godliness (1 Timothy 6:6-8) [11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Amusements and Pleasures, Worldly — Belong to the works of the flesh -- Ga 5:19,21. Are transitory -- Job 21:12,13; Heb 11:25. Are all vanity -- Ec 2:11. Choke the word of God in the heart -- Lu 8:14. Formed a part of idolatrous worship -- Ex 32:4,6,19; 1Co 10:7; Jdj 16:23-25. Lead to Rejection of God. -- Job 21:14,15. Poverty. -- Pr 21:17. Disregard of the judgments and works of God. -- Isa 5:12; Am 6:1-6. Terminate in sorrow -- Pr 14:13. Are likely to lead to greater evil -- Job 1:5; Mt 14:6-8. The wicked seek for happiness in -- Ec 2:1,8. Indulgence in A proof of ”
- Galatians “envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. -- Galatians 5:21”
- Mark “Mark 8:36 (BSB) — What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”
- Mark “Mark 4:19 (Geneva1599) — But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulnes of riches, and the lustes of other things enter in, and choke the word, and it is vnfruitfull.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ambition — God condemns -- Ge 11:7; Isa 5:8. Christ condemns -- Mt 18:1,3,4; 20:25,26; 23:11,12. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1,2. Vanity of -- Job 20:5-9; 24:24; Ps 49:11-20. Leads to strife and contention -- Jas 4:1,2. Punishment of -- Pr 17:19; Isa 14:12-15; Eze 31:10,11; Ob 1:3,4. Connected with Pride. -- Hab 2:5. Covetousness. -- Hab 2:8,9. Cruelty. -- Hab 2:12. Exemplified Adam and Eve. -- Ge 3:5,6. Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11:4. Miriam and Aaron. -- Nu 12:2. Korah, &c. -- Nu 16:3. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:4; 18:18. Adonijah. -- 1Ki 1:5. Sennacherib. -- 2Ki 19:23. Shebna. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 5:8: The world and the flesh are the two great enemies that we are in danger of being overpowered by; yet we are in no danger if we do not ourselves yield to them. Eagerness of the world, and indulgence of the flesh, are the two sins against which the prophet, in God's name, here denounces woes. These were sins which then abounded among the men of Judah, some of the wild grapes they brought forth (Isa 5:4), and for which God threatens to bring ruin upon them. They are sins which we have all need to stand upon our guard against and dread the consequences of. I. Here is a”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:19: Worldly-mindedness is as common and as fatal a symptom of hypocrisy as any other, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a visible and passable profession of religion, than by this; and therefore Christ, having warned us against coveting the praise of men, proceeds next to warn us against coveting the wealth of the world; in this also we must take heed, lest we be as the hypocrites are, and do as they do: the fundamental error that they are guilty of is, that they choose the world for their reward; we must therefore t”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world - All that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfill; so that its warmest votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment. The lust of the flesh - Sensual and impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink, delicious viands, and the like. Lust of the eyes - Inordinate desires after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts. Pride of life - Hun”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:5: The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally incline us to the things of the world: "Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them, or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and wounds you." - ”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 6:6: From the mention of the abuse which some put upon religion, making it to serve their secular advantages, the apostle, I. Takes occasion to show the excellency of contentment and the evil of covetousness. 1. The excellency of contentment, Ti1 6:6-8. Some account Christianity an advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed, and fi”