The following appeared in the most recent Voice of the Martyrs publication.

Michael Wurmbrand, son of (VOM) founder Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, was orphaned while both parents were Christian prisoners in communist Romania.  One lady received six years in prison just for feeding him.  Michael told us recently, “Unless you find out the world is evil you will fall in love with this world.  There is no alternative.”

And therein lies the opportunity for subtle deception.  If we entertain the unbiblical belief that this world is neutral, or good, or filled with good things which we would like to pursue, we fall in love with it.

And when we fall in love with the world, we will never be able to wholly belong to Jesus.  “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?!” Why? Because we devote our money, our time, and our energy to what we love. Matthew 6:21

According to God, the world is evil. (See Gal 1:4, John 7:7, I John 5:19)

If we believe the world holds good things for us, our affections are misplaced.  And our misplaced affections produce wrong thinking and our wrong thinking produces wrong living.

With our hopes and dreams set on the things of the world, we will fail miserably to be the body of Christ that reaches the lost and cares for the poor.  For the body of Christ loves others, provides for the needy, and exists to serve others.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? I John 3:17