Daily Reflections · Hope When Life Hurts (Part 14) · 1 John 2:15–17
The Seductive Cosmos Mentality
When we talk about “cosmos,” we talk about the world, the universe. Few things are more awesome than pictures of earth the astronauts have taken from space. However, that is not the “world” Jesus has in mind here.
- He is not talking about the visible planet named Earth.
- He is talking about a philosophy that envelopes earthlings.
- It is not a place but a system — a system that finds its origin in the enemy himself.
- It is a figure of speech that encapsulates the mind-set and morality of the unregenerate. This is what John says we should not love (1 John 2:15).
- It is what John calls the cosmos.
The physical world upon which we have our feet planted is visible. It can be measured. It can be felt. It has color and odor and texture. It is tangible. What is not so obvious is the system that permeates and operates within lives on this earth. It is a world-system manipulated by the pervasive hand of Satan and his demons, who pull the strings to achieve the adversary’s wicked ends. If we are ever to extricate ourselves from those strings, we must be able to detect them and understand where they lead.
So what is this system? What is its philosophy? What is the frame of reference of the cosmos — its thinking, its drives, its goals?
The first thing we need to know is this:
- It is a system that operates apart from and at odds with God.
- It is designed to appeal to us, to attract us, to seduce us with its sequined garb of fame, fortune, power, and pleasure.
God’s ways are often uncomfortable, but the world-system is designed to make us comfortable, to give us pleasure, to gain our favor, and ultimately to win our support.
- The philosophy of the world-system is totally at odds with the philosophy of God.
- Much in this world-system is religious, cultured, refined, and intellectual. But it is anti-God and anti-Christ.
- This world of unsaved humanity is inspired by “the spirit of the age,” manifested in thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, and aspirations of the world.
- The world-system, the cosmos philosophy, is everywhere. It is going on all the time, even when we cannot see it, and especially when we are not thinking about it.
- It is whistling its appeal: “Come on, come on, you will love it. This is so much fun. It will make you look so good. It will make you feel so good.”
- It motivates us by appealing to our pride and to that which pleases us, all the while cleverly seducing us away from God.
- And over all this realm, do not forget: Satan is prince of this world.
Question for Reflection
Are you being seduced by the prince of the world?
Shalom & Maranatha!
Hillcross Ministry