The Apostle Paul has given us a warning in Colossians 2:8 (last time we look at several verses of Scripture that spoke of false doctrine and human precepts), "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."

What does Scripture tells us about worldliness?  We are given warnings against it:

A clear example is Jesus' admonishment of Peter in Matthew 16:21-26, Jesus had said He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be killed, but Peter rebuked Him and said, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" Vs. 22 "But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me, for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."  Vs. 23 "For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Vs. 26 (Please read the whole passage.)

"Set you mind on the things above, not on the things below." Colossians 3:2

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:11-12

James 4:4 gives a very clear and dire pronouncement:
"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."

Some of the evil effects of worldliness are:
It destroys the influence of truth:
Matthew 13:22 (from the parable of the sower of the seed), "The one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

It makes earthly affections supreme:
The Apostle Paul speaking concerning marriage, "...An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs -- how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world -- how he can please his wife -- and his interests are divided..."
1 Corinthians 7:32-34

It leads to religious apostasy:
Paul to Timothy concerning Demas,
"Do your best to come to me quickly for Demas, because of his love for the world, has deserted me..." 2 Timothy 4:9

Though these are examples of early times in the church, the same holds true today, even to a greater extent. We have through television, exposure to the world twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Then there is the computer! Though it offers great opportunity for good, it is used beyond measure for evil. There is the endless lure and enticement of pleasures with instant gratification. The list is endless. And what is the end? Death and destruction.

Believers are to be unworldly, for we are in the world BUT not of the world!
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that your may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

The Apostle John state it very clearly to all those in Christ:
"Do not love the world, nor 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 and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also the lust; but the one who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

So we sing: Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
                  Praise Him all creatures here below,
                  Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
                  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen