In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the world and its influence on believers. He refers to the apostle John, who witnessed a spiritual battle between the forces of light and darkness. The speaker explains that the world represents everything sinful that the fallen human nature desires. He emphasizes the importance of not loving the world or its sinful desires, as they are not from the Father but from the world. The speaker warns that living a life devoted to the things of this world while calling oneself a Christian is deceptive and contrary to Scripture.

The following interview was originally recorded for the Purity for Life radio broadcast. For additional interviews with Steve Gallagher and podcasts of the Purity for Life program, visit our website at purelifeministries.org. Steve, as we talk about the spirit of the world, I know in your book, Intoxicated with Babylon, you talk about the experience that John, the disciple of Christ, had. Describe that experience and then if you could tell us a little bit about the battle you believe came out in that passage of Scripture, and read that passage of Scripture if you like. What you're referring to is that John, at the end of his life, he was in his 90s, and he was on the island of Patmos, which was a Roman penal colony, and who could imagine how horrific that must have been? I would just picture it to be something like a Nazi concentration camp. And John, this old man, full of Jesus, here's a man when he was young who spent three and a half years with the Son of God, day in and day out, and who knows how that must have transformed him? So here we are 60 years later, and he's in his 90s, and we find him being persecuted for the faith. He's probably completely depleted physically, and what he saw there, he talks about in his first epistle, and he obviously got a sight of a great spiritual battle that was going on between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. And he kind of summed it up when he said in the second chapter of these verses, we all know, 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, whatever that is, the world, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, it's not from the Father, but it's from the world. You know, and those three different types of lusts really represent everything sinful that the fallen human nature desires. Now, you talk about the three terms, the world, let's start with the world. You said whatever that means. What does it mean, the world? Well, that concept that is found throughout the New Testament, the Greek term is kosmos, and as I started really researching this years ago, I discovered that the deeper, greater meaning of that term is that it had more to do with the organization of people who were opposed to God's rule over their lives. That's really what kosmos means. It means the order of things. That's why we use the term cosmological and so on. It has to do with order as just a Greek word, but when referring to spiritual matters, we're talking about a spiritually organized resistance to God's will. So is this Satan's kingdom? Absolutely. The spirit of this world is Satan. You know, it's just another identifying term for him. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, Satan offered him the world that was before him, and he had that to offer. God has put that under his dominion for a period of time, right? Well, actually man did. Man forfeited the world, you know, when he fell into sin. But yes, the spirit of the world, Satan, is in control, and he's continually trying to lure believers into that realm, get their eyes off of the invisible realm of faith, and get their eyes on all the enticements and things that he can offer them in this world. Okay. Well, that leads us to the second term, the lust of the world. What is meant by that term? What is included in the lust of the world? Well, those three things, lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes. Lust of the flesh is really anything to do with entertainment or pleasure or self-gratification. You know, it would encompass all the addictions, food, sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, anything like that. That all comes under the term lust of the flesh. Lust of the eyes is more to do with a coveting spirit. I want this. I want that. And living your life in a passion for the different types of things, whether it be success in the world or the things that success buys you. And then, of course, the last one is the lust for position. That's what pride is, is wanting to be exalted in the eyes of everyone around you. So people get in an actual lust for position, wanting to be seen in a most favorable light by everyone that they come in contact with. Well, you know, as you describe that, it sounds pretty much like the standard American life. It is. I mean, when you talk about the American dream, it's pretty much summed up by those three lusts. And unfortunately, it seems that that is where this nation has come to, the pursuit of those things. Yeah. You know, there was a time, I think, in the 50s where most, at least Christians, to some degree were able to keep those things in their proper and rightful place. You know, I don't think the Lord is displeased with his children for wanting to provide a nice home for their kids and so on. But it has become such an obsession. Our attitude has become that we're entitled to success and prosperity and so on. And God, you just have to fit yourself in wherever I give you a spot. And that's, unfortunately, the attitude most American Christians have. Okay, you talk about the word love. When you're using the term love here, when John's talking about love, what's he talking about? Well, he's using a very definite Greek term. You know, the Greek language was very expressive, and there's actually four different terms that we translate all of them with the word love. You know, eros is sexual love, phylos is friendship, you know, deep friendship. Storge is long term commitment. Those are all terms that are used as love. But he uses the term agape and he uses that term, meaning that it is the passion of your soul. I really think that's what agape means, the passion of your soul, because it's not only used for God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. That's describing the passion of your soul. That's the greatest commandment. But also that is used in relation to sin and the things of this world, which for many people really is the passion of their soul. What it sounds like you're setting up here is that there is some kind of cosmic battle going on here. Describe what you think that battle is and how that affects us as Christians. Well, it's very simple. The battle is over who really is going to possess your heart, you know, and I've gone through the New Testament and everywhere I find the term agape, I put, depending on the verb tense and so on, I use the word devotion, love the Lord your God with all your heart, be devoted to the Lord your God with all your heart, you know, and it really is a matter of where is your chief and primary devotion. What are you mostly devoted with? If someone were to watch your actions and your thoughts throughout a 24-hour period, what would they see that you are mostly concerned with? That really is the defining term for where your heart is. And of course, Jesus said, you know, where your heart is, there will your treasure be also. And you believe that what John is talking about here is an intense spiritual, well, the term that comes to mind is cosmic battle between the forces of Satan and the love of God for the souls of men and women. Each individual soul is going to undergo that battle. I mean, at least, well, actually, there is no battle until they make a profession of faith. And once there's a profession of faith, then there is a battle. And unfortunately, many people who profess Christ, even they have no battle, no real battle going on. They've really have given themselves over to this world and include God in a very minimal way. So I assume that you believe that there is a deception that's going on with God's people, whether they're true Christians or not. I assume you believe that for true Christians, there is a spirit of the world and a deception that even they can be falling into that they need to be more aware of. Yes, absolutely. And the deception is that you can live your life truly. You know, the reality of your life is that you are devoted to what this world gives you, but call yourself a Christian and think that you're going to go to heaven for eternity. And according to Scripture, that is not true. Okay. Well, we'll talk more about this in upcoming segments. Thanks for taking the time. Glad to be here.