{"id":46646,"date":"2022-02-17T11:41:56","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T08:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=46646"},"modified":"2025-05-21T17:58:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:58:02","slug":"do-not-be-an-enemy-of-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/02\/17\/do-not-be-an-enemy-of-god\/","title":{"rendered":"DO NOT BE AN ENEMY OF GOD"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. The Spiritual Reality of Allegiances<\/strong><\/p>\n

While traveling one day, I heard someone say on the radio:
\n\u201cThe friend of your enemy is also your enemy.\u201d<\/em>
\nIt means that if someone supports your opponent\u2014even unknowingly\u2014they align themselves against you.<\/p>\n

This might seem like a worldly saying, but it mirrors a powerful spiritual truth in Scripture: whoever chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. Friendship with the World Equals Opposition to God<\/strong><\/h3>\n

James 4:4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The word “adulterers” here is spiritual\u2014it refers to people who have committed spiritual infidelity<\/strong>, turning away from God to love the world. Friendship with the world is not neutral; it\u2019s betrayal.<\/p>\n

To be God\u2019s friend, you must be separate from the world\u2019s value system.<\/p>\n

3. What Does \u201cThe World\u201d Mean in Scripture?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The \u201cworld\u201d in this context doesn\u2019t refer to creation or people\u2014it refers to a spiritual system of rebellion<\/strong> under Satan\u2019s control. This includes ungodly desires, entertainment, pride, and materialism.<\/p>\n

1 John 2:15\u201317<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.<\/em>
\nFor all that is in the world\u2014the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life\u2014is not of the Father but is of the world.<\/em>
\nAnd the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When we love what the world loves, we reject what God loves. The world is passing away\u2014but the one who follows Christ will live eternally.<\/p>\n

4. The Devil’s Influence Over the World<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Luke 4:5\u20136<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Then the devil, taking Him [Jesus] up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
\nAnd the devil said to Him, \u2018All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Satan offered Jesus the world\u2019s kingdoms because they are under his influence. When people pursue worldly pleasures and values\u2014fame, wealth, power\u2014they unknowingly honor the devil\u2019s system, not God\u2019s.<\/p>\n

5. Common Forms of Worldliness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Being a \u201cfriend of the world\u201d can look like:<\/p>\n