A Worldy Spirit, the Worst Heresy
The greatest danger to a child of God is the spirit of the world, which can only be overcome by being entirely possessed by the Spirit of God.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the conflict between the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God, illustrating how each kingdom influences the hearts and actions of humanity. He warns that the greatest danger for believers lies in the subtle and unconscious influence of worldly spirit, which can lead them away from God's will. Murray highlights that the fall of man resulted in a preference for the visible and temporal over the spiritual and eternal, causing a deep-rooted worldliness. He calls for believers to have their eyes opened to the true nature of the world and to seek complete possession by the Spirit of God to overcome this influence.
Text
John 15:19 , 17:14-16 I Cor 2:12
In this world there are two kingdoms, contending for the master. Each kingdom has its animating spirit, in which its strength lies, by which all it does is guided, and through which it holds rule among men. Everything we are or do derives its character and its worth in the sight of God from the spirit in which it is done. This spirit is in each kingdom, not a blind force or an unconscious tendency, but an intelligent power working towards a definite goal. The spirit of the world and the god of this world hold rule over every child of Adam. The spirit which is of God is the power of the living God, working as a divine life in the hearts of those who have received him.
The terrible sin of the fall consisted in this: that man chose the visible, that which this world offered of beauty, and enjoyment, and wisdom, in preference to the unseen, spiritual good of God's will and favor. And the ruin and punishment of the fall is that man became subject to the power of the seen and temporal, that worldliness became a second nature to him, so that this world was nearer, and clearer to him, and affected him far more than the God of all glory and blessedness, who had created him.
However little it may be thought or taught, the greatest danger to a child of god is from the spirit of this world secretly and unconsciously influencing his judgment and conduct. And one of his greatest needs is to have his eyes opened to see what the world and its spirit is, and how nothing can free him from it but being entirely possessed by the Spirit of God.
(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 25).
Sermon Outline
- Two Kingdoms: The World and God
- The Fall: Choosing the World
- The Greatest Danger: Worldly Spirit
- The Spirit of the World
- The Spirit of God
- The Consequences of the Fall
- The Nature of Worldliness
- The Influence of the Worldly Spirit
- The Need for the Spirit of God
Key Quotes
“Everything we are or do derives its character and its worth in the sight of God from the spirit in which it is done.” — Andrew Murray
“The spirit which is of God is the power of the living God, working as a divine life in the hearts of those who have received him.” — Andrew Murray
“However little it may be thought or taught, the greatest danger to a child of god is from the spirit of this world secretly and unconsciously influencing his judgment and conduct.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- Recognize the spirit of the world's influence in your life and seek to be possessed by the Spirit of God.
- Understand that everything you do derives its worth in God's sight from the spirit in which it is done.
- Make a conscious effort to choose God's will and favor over the world's offerings.