Tag: world

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The Narrow Gate vs. the Wide Gate: How Christians Must Cut Off Sin and Reject Worldliness

narrow gate vs wide gate

Many professing Christians feel the quiet tension between what they know is right and what they continue to pursue. Whether it’s endless scrolling, the lure of financial gain, or entertainment that stirs sinful desires, these patterns reveal how easily the heart drifts toward the world. Jesus does not call for mild adjustments but decisive action—removing whatever leads us into sin and choosing the narrow path that leads to life. This post explores what that kind of radical obedience looks like in everyday decisions.

Suppose a 26-year-old named Natalie spends three hours a day on Facebook. She knows it hurts her emotionally, fueling jealousy and ingratitude in her heart, and prevents her from beneficial things like reading the Bible and getting together with other Christians in her church for ministry, but she cannot stop.

Suppose 38-year-old Jim comes home from his day job each evening and pours his energies into investing. He loves the thrill of seeing a stock jump in value. He invests in the risky world of leveraged stocks because he is not willing to wait patiently for steady, strong growth. Jim has set a goal of having $5 million by age 40, and it is all he thinks about when he has time. He believes in God but rarely attends church or reads the Bible, and trying to pray is hopeless because his thoughts turn relentlessly to money.

These are just two practical examples of how the warning against loving the world impacts the choices Christians make every day.

More examples: Should we watch movies and TV shows? If so, what kind and what rating? What steps must a Christian take to completely avoid pornography online? What leads you into coveting and greed? Or what is likely to trigger your heart to pursue the things of God, and what is likely to lure you to seek the fallen world and its pleasures?

When you know something is a worldly stumbling block for you, are you willing to forgo it?

Cut it off

Jesus spoke about this in dramatic fashion:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell” (Matthew 5:27–30 ESV).

In other words, if something “causes you to sin,” you should take whatever measures are necessary to remove it. You should ruthlessly rid your life of stumbling blocks—not just rid yourself of sin, but whatever regularly leads to sin.

If watching movies regularly leads you to lust, then you never watch movies again. If scrolling on Facebook leads you regularly into envy, then you close your Facebook account. Or if working in the field of commission sales leads you regularly to lying, then you change your career. If investing in the stock market regularly tempts you to love money, then you give away whatever you must to overcome the love of money and invest your savings in ways that do not require close management.

Two ways

This means making hard choices. This requires sacrifice during this brief life so someday you can have all the blessings of eternal life in paradise with God. Jesus said:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).

According to Jesus this world presents us with two gates and two ways.

1. The wide gate

The wide gate has no restrictions, rules, or limitations. Anyone can get through this gate. Masses of people, millions and billions of men and women can enter through this gate. This way is popular. It captures most of the media attention. It is entertaining and exciting, fun and pleasurable. The wide gate sells music and movies. It succeeds. It brings acceptance.

As a result, Jesus said this is the easy way. No self-control is required. No sacrifice. There is no need to say no to temptation. No rejection from worldly friends and family.

2. The narrow gate

The narrow gate is like the turnstile entrance into the public train system or a sports stadium. It restricts you. You still enter through this gate, but you cannot do so any way you choose.

God has given commandments to mankind, so those who take the narrow gate keep those commandments. Those who take the narrow gate avoid both sin and temptation.

The narrow gate requires knowing God’s will, so those who go this way read the Bible and pray and involve themselves weekly in church so they understand that will. They diligently seek the Lord.

Jesus says this way is hard.

What way are you taking?

Jesus says the wide gate leads to destruction, and the narrow gate leads to life.

These two gates have everything to do with how you approach life in this fallen world. If you love the world, you are taking the wide gate, which will end in your destruction. If you love the things of God, you are taking the narrow gate, and you will live forever in paradise.

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How Prominent, Contemporary Theologians Define “the World” (described in 1 John 2:15-17) (part 3)

narrow gate vs wide gate

In this post we conclude our ChatGPT-generated survey of how prominent theologians have defined “the world,” as used in the Scripture “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

We have seen in previous posts that loving the world brings one under the influence of Satan himself and makes one an enemy of God. So, the stakes are high. We must get this right. Therefore we listen to more than one voice.

Definitions from seven contemporary theologians: D. A. Carson, Paul Washer, John Frame, Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Stephen Wellum, and Albert Mohler

D. A. Carson: The world is the collective system of human life organized in rebellion against God, expressed in sinful desires and values, opposed to God’s will, and destined to pass away.

Paul Washer: The world refers to the ideas, attitudes, and deeds of this present fallen age that contradict and oppose the nature and will of God.

John Frame: The world is the system of life that is opposed to God’s lordship. It is giving ultimate allegiance to a rival authority structure instead of to Christ. It is a system of values contrary to God’s authority.

Wayne Grudem: The world is the sinful value system and practices of unbelieving humanity. It is humanity organized apart from God. It is the moral and cultural patterns characteristic of fallen society.

John Piper: The world is the cluster of desires and values that substitute creation for God. It is rooted in disordered love. Worldliness is when one prefers created things over the Creator. The world is a God-rejecting mindset fueled by pride and self-exaltation. Loving the world is finding satisfaction in what competes with God.

Stephen Wellum: The world is the present evil age in opposition to Christ’s kingdom. It is the realm of unbelief contrasted with the new creation in Christ. Although believers belong to the age to come, they love the world when they align with the old order.

Albert Mohler: The world is the fallen moral and cultural order that normalizes sin. It is moral rebellion institutionalized in society.

All the theologians in this survey have agreed that “the world” in 1 John 2:15 is not referring to the material creation, which God created good.

For the source of these summary definitions, read the final section of this earlier post.

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How Prominent Theologians Define “The World” (described in 1 John 2:15-17) (part 2)

Theologians define “the world” (described in 1 John 2:15-17)

In the last post we saw how four prominent, historical theologians—Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin—defined “the world,” as mentioned in 1 John 2:15–17.

We continue in this post with summary definitions from four more historical theologians: Jonathan Edwards, Herman Bavinck, Louis Berkhof, and John Wesley.

Jonathan Edwards: The world is the whole system of temporal things—pleasures, profits, honors, and relationships—insofar as they captivate the heart and compete with supreme love to God.

Herman Bavinck: The world is creation, which God created perfectly good, corrupted by sin and now oriented away from God. It is the sphere of rebellion under Satan’s influence.

Louis Berkhof: The world is the human race as corrupted by sin and estranged from God. It is humanity in its ethical alienation from God.

John Wesley: The entire network of sinful desires—sensual, material, and prideful—that governs fallen human life and stands in opposition to God.

For the source of these summary definitions, read the final section of the previous post.

In the next post we finish the definitions with six contemporary theologians: John Frame, Wayne Grudem, Albert Mohler, John Piper, Paul Washer, and Stephen Wellum.

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What Is the “Pride of Life”? Biblical Meaning, Examples, and Warning (1 John 2:16)

Theologians define “the world” (described in 1 John 2:15-17)

What is the “pride of life” in 1 John 2:16?

The “pride of life” in 1 John 2:16 refers to arrogant confidence in one’s achievements, possessions, or status apart from God. It is the boastful self-exaltation that trusts in earthly success and security rather than in the Lord. Scripture warns that this attitude belongs to “the world” and opposes the love of the Father.

Modern example of the pride of life

Imagine a 26-year-old graduate of an Ivy League university, who earned master’s degrees in both finance and economics. He started his own investment company, and within two years became a billionaire. He has purchased a mansion in Manhattan and owns several expensive sports cars. In a recent interview with the N.Y. Times, he boasted, “Within five years, I will make people forget Warren Buffet. I will become the richest man in America. You can bank on it.”

He would be an example of what 1 John 2:16 calls “the pride of life.”

Public displays of pride in sports and celebrity culture

We see the pride of life regularly in the world of professional sports. NFL players who score a touchdown prance and posture in the end zone.

Decades ago this sort of behavior became prominent with the world heavyweight boxing champion who loudly insisted in front of the cameras, “I am the greatest!”

Pride has always marked human history

Arrogant boasting is nothing new to successful humans. God once warned the residents of Edom, a nation bordering Israel that had their capital city built in a high, mountain fortress:

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 1:3)

King Nebuchadnezzar: A biblical case study in the pride of life

In the Bible, the Book of Daniel tells the story of a King named Nebuchadnezzar, who literally was the most powerful ruler in the world. One day he took a walk around his capital city, and said aloud: “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30).

The Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:15–16).

The pride of life is the third of the three engines of the love of the world that we have been exploring for several posts (first engine, second engine).

Pride in possessions, achievements, and security

There is more to the boastful pride of life than being proud of one’s success. Various Bible translations get at the different senses and shades of meaning that the original Greek language suggested by pride of life:

•        pride in one’s possessions (CSB)

•        the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things] (AMP)

•        pride in our achievements and possessions. (NLT)

•        arrogance produced by material possessions (NET)

The illusion of control over the future (James 4:13–16)

The Bible rebukes the pride of life in another warning:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13–16 ESV)

How God humbles the proud

The pride of life is evil, and God hates it. Those who indulge it love the world and become his enemies. King Nebuchadnezzar, whom we saw above, who boasted about his capital city of Babylon, learned that the hard way.

“While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.’ Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.” (Daniel 4:31–33 ESV)

God’s mercy after human pride

Nevertheless, after God judged him, he later showed Nebuchadnezzar mercy:

“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’

“At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:34–37).

If we are wise, we will learn from this king and repent of the pride of life and its love of the world. If we do, through faith in Jesus Christ we too will experience God’s forgiveness.

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The Whole World Lies in the Power of the Evil One—Is Satan Really That Dangerous?

narrow gate vs wide gate

The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19)

The Bible warns that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). This does not mean that the physical world God created is evil, but that human society—its values, systems, and moral direction—is under the influence of a real personal being: Satan. Scripture presents Satan as a living, intelligent, spiritual enemy who opposes God. He also seeks to deceive, harm, and destroy human beings. Understanding who the evil one is and how he operates is essential for living wisely in a fallen world.

Natural danger vs. personal, moral evil

A few hours from me is a state park called Starved Rock, where I have been many times. The park has high hills and sandstone bluffs overlooking the Illinois River. There are 18 canyons and several caves. If you leave the marked trail at some points, you might walk on hazardous rocks where it is easy to slip and fall a long way. Over the last ten years three people have died and dozens injured from falls in the park.

The park has posted warning signs. Would reading one of those warnings keep you from visiting the park? Probably not. They did not stop me from bringing my children there numerous times. If you are careful, you are safe.

But what would you do if you were planning to go there, and you happened to see on the news that three convicts had escaped from a nearby prison and were hiding in the park. They had already accosted several hikers, stealing their money. One woman walking alone in the park has disappeared. Would this scenario prevent you from following through with your plans to visit the park?

Probably so, and with good reason. It is easier to protect yourself against harm from nature than from an evil person.

Satan is real: the Bible’s teaching on the devil

That is why we should take seriously the warning in Scripture that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19). That is because “the evil one” is a person. He is the most evil person in the universe: Satan, also called the devil.

Jesus and the temptation of Satan

Satan is real. He tempted Jesus, the Son of God, in the wilderness:

The Bible says in Matthew 4:1–11: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”’ Then the devil left him.”

What Jesus taught about the devil

Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)

Jesus warned his followers about Satan. Comparing him to a thief stealing sheep, Jesus said Satan has three objectives: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

Satan is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44)

Jesus also said of Satan that “he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). So Satan is a murderer. He tries to deceive people to believe lies about God and what God says.

Satan the tempter and adversary (Matthew 4:3; 1 Peter 5:8)

Matthew 4:3 calls Satan, “the tempter.” He does everything he can to lead people into sin.

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” So he is the adversary and enemy of every person. He resembles a man-eating lion.

Satan hates humans because he hates God, and the Bible says God created us in his image.

Demons and the spiritual reality of evil

Why spiritual evil is more dangerous than we realize

So, Satan is a real person, an invisible spiritual being, the most evil being in the universe, and earth is his home. Furthermore, he is not alone. There are millions of evil, invisible, spiritual persons called demons, who do his bidding. They are just as real as Satan and have the same purpose.

These evil spirits are why every person must take God’s warning seriously: “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19).

How can we live in a world under the evil one’s power?

So how do you live in this fallen world without coming under the influence of the evil one and his demons? We will talk about that in my next post.

To read the first two posts in this series, click first and second.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Evil One

FAQ 1

What does it mean that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one?
It means that human society, apart from God, is under the influence of Satan, who works to oppose God, deceive people, and promote sin and rebellion against divine truth.

FAQ 2

Is Satan a real person according to the Bible?
Yes. The Bible presents Satan as a real, personal, spiritual being who speaks, tempts, lies, and acts intentionally, not merely as a symbol of evil.

FAQ 3

What did Jesus teach about Satan?
Jesus taught that Satan is a liar, a murderer, and a thief who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and he personally resisted Satan’s temptations through obedience to God’s Word.

FAQ 4

Are demons real in the Bible?
Yes. Scripture teaches that demons are evil spiritual beings who serve Satan and share his purpose of opposing God and harming humanity.