Being a Friend of the World is Being an Enemy of God

James 4:4 (NKJV) says, 

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

This verse confronts a serious issue in the life of a believer: worldliness. Loving the world and its desires automatically positions someone against God. The “world” here is not the physical planet but the system of values, pleasures, and desires that stand in opposition to God’s will. In other words, when we indulge in sinful desires such as lust, immorality, greed, materialism, and the pursuit of worldly pleasures (like music, sports fandom, drinking, or indulgence in sinful habits) we make ourselves enemies of God. We cannot serve both God and the world (Matthew 6:24).

In 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

John categorizes three specific worldly temptations:

• The lust of the flesh (desires of physical indulgence),
• The lust of the eyes (coveting things we see),
• The pride of life (self-reliance and arrogance due to worldly success).

These temptations do not come from God. In fact, John warns that the world’s system is temporary, but those who do God’s will will endure forever. Worldly things pass away, but the eternal value lies in God’s purposes and His kingdom.

The Pride of Life: A Dangerous Trap

The pride of life specifically refers to a person’s belief that their achievements be it through education, wealth, or fame make them independent of God or above His commands. In biblical terms, pride is a dangerous thing.

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) says,

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

This is evident in the lives of many who have turned away from God due to their arrogance and self-sufficiency.

Take, for example, the story of King Belshazzar in Daniel 5. Despite his wealth and power, he chose to mock God by using sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to drink wine in a feast. That night, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote the words “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PERES” on the wall, signifying the end of his reign and the judgment of God. The pride he had in his kingdom did not save him; in fact, it led to his downfall.

As Daniel 5:30 (NIV) says,

“That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain.”

Likewise, the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 had a life of luxury, enjoying all the pleasures of the world, but he ignored the needs of Lazarus, a poor beggar. Upon his death, he found himself in torment, while Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom. Jesus uses this parable to demonstrate the tragic end of those who live for worldly pleasure without regard for God and His Kingdom.

The World Is Passing Away

The Bible is clear that the world and all its desires are temporary.

In 1 John 2:17, it says,

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

This highlights the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. Everything in this world our possessions, our achievements, our pleasures will eventually fade away, but the will of God and those who do it will endure forever.

Jesus asks in

Mark 8:36 (NIV),

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

This is a stark reminder that eternal life, not earthly pleasures, should be our focus. Gaining wealth, fame, or worldly pleasure can’t compare to the value of your soul. The rich man, despite his worldly riches, could not escape the consequences of his sin. His possessions were meaningless in the face of eternity.

What Are You Living For?

The Bible continually asks us to evaluate our priorities. Are you a friend of God, or have you aligned yourself with the world? If you still find yourself caught up in the pursuits of this world whether it’s indulgence in sin, the desire for wealth, fame, or the fleeting pleasures of life then you are, in essence, an enemy of God.

However, the good news is that God is merciful. If you haven’t yet accepted Christ, today is the day to change. Repent turn away from your sin and seek baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus, as described in Acts 2:38. Peter commands in Acts 2:38 (NKJV),

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This is the step toward becoming a true friend of God.

Conclusion: Eternal Choices

The Bible calls us to be careful with the choices we make. While the world offers temporary pleasures, it can never offer eternal life.

1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV) reminds us,

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

These examples of the past serve as a warning to us.

Question: Are you a friend of God, or an enemy of God? If you’re still clinging to the things of this world whether it’s materialism, sin, or any form of worldliness then you are standing in opposition to God. But if you accept Jesus today, you can be reconciled to Him and become His true friend.

Maranatha!

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