Why is the love of the world
represented as so dangerous and destructive to the souls of men?
By Nathaniel Emmons, 1745-1840, Do not love the world or anything
in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2 verse 15. 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. James 4 verse 4. Why is the love of the world
represented as so dangerous and destructive to the souls of men?
The plain reason is that the world and all the things of the
world directly and powerfully tend to dissipate the thoughts
of men, and so to prevent all serious reflections upon God
and upon everything serious, important, and eternal. A habitual
attention to this world excludes a habitual attention to the eternal
world. A habitual love to this world
excludes a habitual love to the eternal world. Worldly-mindedness
excludes heavenly-mindedness. Since, then, you have been raised
with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ
is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things
above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is
now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life,
appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians
3 verses 1 to 4