What if the way you’ve been taught to see the world is incomplete—or even dangerously naïve? 🌍 This 16-part series by Craig Brian Larson takes you on a clear, Bible-anchored journey behind the headlines, beneath cultural assumptions, and into Scripture’s sobering diagnosis of reality. From defining what the Bible truly means by “the world,” to confronting the unsettling claim that it lies under the power of the evil one, these articles provide a biblical worldview on the world that connects the dots between spiritual conflict, human brokenness, suffering, and God’s surprising posture of both judgment and mercy. You’ll gain a framework that makes sense of evil without surrendering hope. ✨
But the series doesn’t stop at explanation—it gets personal. Drawing from 1 John 2:16, the final pieces expose the three forces that quietly shape everyday life: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. 💡 With biblical insight, practical examples, and pastoral urgency, this collection equips you to recognize the world’s pull, resist it wisely, and live with clarity, courage, and gospel confidence. If you want a deeper, sharper, and more realistic Christian worldview, this series is your roadmap. 🧭
Series Overview
Below are the articles in this series. Each builds on the previous ones, so reading them in order will give you the clearest understanding of the biblical worldview.
1. A Necessary Shift in World-View
Remember the childhood thrill of a candy-filled grocery store? Author Craig Brian Larson explores how a maturing faith requires a similar, radical shift in how we perceive the world and its pleasures. Are you ready to trade temporary “sweets” for a deeper life that pleases God?
👉 Read: A Necessary Shift in World-View
2. What Does the Bible Mean by “The World”?
In this article, we examine the different ways Scripture uses the word world. Sometimes it refers to the physical creation. Other times it describes the fallen system of rebellion against God. Understanding this distinction is foundational.
👉 Read: What Does the Bible Mean by “The World”?
3. Is Satan’s Influence in the World Really That Extensive?
Modern culture often treats Satan as symbolic or mythological. But what does Scripture say? This article examines the biblical evidence for the reality of Satan and his influence.
👉 Read: The Whole World Lies in the Power of the Evil One—Is Satan Really That Dangerous?
4. God’s Sovereignty and the Existence of Evil
If God rules over all, why does evil continue? This article addresses one of the most difficult theological questions: how God can be sovereign without being the author of evil.
👉 Read: What Does “The Whole World Lies in the Power of the Evil One” Mean? (1 John 5:19 Explained)
5. Why Is the World So Broken?
This post explains why the Bible says the world is broken, who is responsible for evil, and why blaming God misunderstands the nature of moral rebellion.
👉 Read: A Biblical Explanation of Evil, Suffering, and Satan
6. What Is God’s Posture Toward the World and Its Fallen People?
Is it possible to be an “enemy” of God without even realizing it? This post explores the striking tension between a world in rebellion and a King who responds with radical mercy rather than immediate judgment. Discover why your loyalty matters more than you think and how the Gospel offers a way back from the “rebel state.”
👉 Read: God’s Posture Toward a Fallen World: Enmity, Mercy, and the Gospel
7. What Are the Desires of the Flesh?
What exactly are the “desires of the flesh” that 1 John 2:16 warns can turn us into “enemies of God”? This post breaks down five specific areas where these cravings often hide, helping you recognize the worldly traps that compete for your heart. Are you ready to trade temporary passions for a life that truly aligns with the Father’s will?
👉 Read: Do Not Love the World: Understanding the Desires of the Flesh (1 John 2:16)
8. What Are the Desires of the Eyes?
Why are our eyes never truly satisfied, and how do those visual cravings lead to more than just a passing glance? Explore the biblical meaning of the desires of the eyes through the stories of David, Achan, and Jesus. It’s time to look past the surface and discover how to guard your heart against the pull of the world.
👉 Read: What Does “the Desires of the Eyes” Mean? A Biblical Explanation from 1 John 2:16
9. What Is the Pride of Life?
What does it actually mean to be caught up in the “pride of life,” and how does it show up in everything from NFL end zones to Ivy League boardrooms? Dive into the biblical warning behind self-exaltation and see what we can learn from the dramatic humbling of history’s most powerful kings.
👉 Read: What Is the “Pride of Life”? Biblical Meaning, Examples, and Warning (1 John 2:16)
10. How Prominent Theologians Define “The World”
What if your relationship with “the world” is shaping your spiritual life more than you realize? Discover how Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin define the world—and why it matters for your walk with God.
👉 Read: How Prominent Theologians Define “The World”
11. How Prominent Theologians Define “The World” (described in 1 John 2:15-17) (part 2)
The Bible says whoever loves the world does not love God. Here is how four historical theologians—Jonathan Edwards, Herman Bavinck, Louis Berkhof, and John Wesley—define “the world.”
👉 Read: How Prominent Theologians Define “The World” (part 2)
12. How Prominent, Contemporary Theologians Define “The World” (described in 1 John 2:15-17) (part 3)
Explore how leading theologians like Carson, Piper, and Grudem define “the world” in 1 John 2:15—understanding its meaning, dangers, and implications for Christian living.
👉 Read: How Prominent, Contemporary Theologians Define “The World” (described in 1 John 2:15-17) (part 3)
13. The Narrow Gate vs. the Wide Gate: How Christians Must Cut Off Sin and Reject Worldliness
What did Jesus mean by the narrow gate? Learn how to cut off sin, resist worldliness, and pursue a life that leads to eternal life.
👉 Read: The Narrow Gate vs. the Wide Gate: How Christians Must Cut Off Sin and Reject Worldliness
14. Unstained by the World
Learn an essential quality for imitating God in a fallen world.
👉 Read: Unstained by the World
15. Worldliness or Holiness: Which Direction Are You Going?
God’s holiness acts like the Continental Divide, sending people in opposite spiritual directions. Those who love the fallen world recoil from holiness, while those transformed by Christ hunger for purity and righteousness. Scripture teaches that without holiness no one will see the Lord, and God provides both the power and the motivation for believers to grow in holiness through repentance, separation from worldly corruption, and the fear of God.
👉 Read: Worldliness or Holiness: Which Direction Are You Going?
16. How to Overcome the World: 4 Biblical Ways to Break Free from Its Pull
Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.” Learn four biblical ways to overcome the world’s influence through dying to self, renewing your mind, and following Christ.
👉 Read: How to Overcome the World: 4 Biblical Ways to Break Free from Its Pull
The Biblical Framework in Summary
The Bible presents a consistent worldview:
- God is perfectly holy and righteous.
- God is sovereign over history.
- Satan and demons are real personal beings.
- Humans make real moral choices.
- Evil originates from created beings who rebelled against God.
- The present world system operates under the influence of the evil one.
- God will ultimately judge evil and restore righteousness.
This framework preserves both divine sovereignty and moral responsibility.
Where This Series Is Going
Understanding why the world is broken is not the end of the story. Scripture also teaches that Christ has decisively acted to defeat the powers of darkness and will ultimately renew creation.
Future articles will explore:
- How Christ overcomes the evil one
- The hope of final judgment and restoration
- What your posture toward the world should be now
Recommended Next Step
If you are new to this series, begin with:
1. A Necessary Shift in World-View
Remember the childhood thrill of a candy-filled grocery store? Author Craig Brian Larson explores how a maturing faith requires a similar, radical shift in how we perceive the world and its pleasures. Are you ready to trade temporary “sweets” for a deeper life that pleases God?
👉 Read: A Necessary Shift in World-View
If you are wrestling specifically with the problem of evil, start here:
Why Is the World So Broken?
👉 Read: A Biblical Explanation of Evil, Suffering, and Satan