I Speak About That Subjection to the Spirit of the World...
The spirit of the world, characterized by selfish desire and materialism, hinders true self-denial and spirituality in Christians, making self-renunciation and heavenly-mindedness seem impossible.
Andrew Murray addresses the pervasive influence of the spirit of the world within the church, emphasizing how the desire for comfort, luxury, and material wealth distracts Christians from true self-denial and spirituality. He critiques the selfish pursuit of riches and the materialistic mindset that equates happiness with possessions, which ultimately hinders self-sacrifice for others and the advancement of God's kingdom. Murray calls for a recognition of this subjection to worldly values that leads believers to prioritize earthly enjoyment over spiritual commitment.
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And how is it now that these three great manifestations of the spirit of the world are in the church? I do not even speak of the power of the flesh as seen in the terrible reign of drink and lust in the midst of our modern Christian civilization. But I do speak of the selfish desire for rich and abundant living, for comfort and luxury, that marks our Christian society as a whole, and the great majority of our professing Christians. How it keeps from all true self-denial and spirituality. How it hinders everything like true self-sacrifice for our fellow creatures around us, or God's kingdom in the world.
I do not speak of the lust of the eyes, as it is seen in the greed for money that treads down the poor, or in the materialism that measures happiness by riches, or progress only by that which is seen or temporal.
But I speak about that subjection to the spirit of the world around them which makes Christians just as keen in the pursuit of the possessions and enjoyment of this world as others are, and makes a life of self-renunciation or heavenly-mindedness to be regarded as equally impossible and unnecessary.
(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 29).
Sermon Outline
- The Spirit of the World in the Church
- The Lust of the Eyes in Materialism
- Subjection to the Spirit of the World
- Christians Pursuing Worldly Possessions
- Life of Self-Renunciation Regarded as Impossible
- Heavenly-Mindedness Unnecessary
Key Quotes
“How it keeps from all true self-denial and spirituality.” — Andrew Murray
“How it hinders everything like true self-sacrifice for our fellow creatures around us, or God's kingdom in the world.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must be aware of the spirit of the world and its influence in our lives, recognizing how it hinders true self-denial and spirituality.
- We must prioritize self-renunciation and heavenly-mindedness, seeking a life that prioritizes God's kingdom and others over our own desires.
- We must not measure happiness and progress by wealth and material possessions, but by our relationship with God and our service to others.