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  I SPEAK ABOUT THAT SUBJECTION TO THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD...
  by Andrew Murray
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Summary: 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.

Topics: "Spirituality", "Worldliness"
Scripture References: 1 John 2:15

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DESCRIPTION
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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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CONTENT
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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).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/andrew-murray/i-speak-about-that-subjection-to-the-spirit-of-the-world/
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