The world and the flesh are two powerful spiritual forces that can cause believers to live in disobedience to God and His Word. For the next few days, we will meditate on these in detail. When we understand and conquer these negative forces, then we can receive the positive input of the Holy Spirit. Remember: Negative and positive produces power!
When we speak of the world, we are talking about the godless world system and the attraction and appeal of its sinful kingdom. When we speak of the flesh, we are talking about the sinful characteristics of man’s nature apart from the Word of God.
First, let us take a look at what is meant by “the world” in this context. The Bible declares, “And we know the tweet of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness”(1 John 5:19). Satan is the prince of this world and as its prince, he influences the governments of nations. He is described as a “deceiver of nations” in Revelation 20:3 and 7. Daniel Chapter 10 Mentions a demon active over the nation of Persia who was trying to hinder the answer to Daniel’s prayer who was defeated by an angel of God.
Satan’s activities are varied in the world, but they are always directed against God, His plan, and His people. Satan opposes God’s plans and purposes, as is evident in his rebellion and fall from Heaven, described in Ezekiel 28:12-19. Satan opposes the work of Jesus, and is behind the anti-Christ spirit of the world: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist (2 John 7). Through cults, deceptive practices, and false teachers in the world, Satan tries to keep the Word of God from influencing the hearts and lives of men and women, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Satan tempts believers to abandon the faith in order to embrace the world. Paul spoke of a believer named Demas who forsook him, “Having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). John warned: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). Ask God to open your eyes to recognize and reject the appeal of the world