Friends with the World

Are you friends with the world, or friends with God? You can’t be both at the same time!

“She weeps bitterly in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; she has none to comfort her among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.”—Lamentations 1:2 NASB

God’s people thought they were in love. They had wealth and beauty. They were attractive and desirable. Their lovers seemed so wonderful. Everything was going well.

But then everything changed. Their wealth and assets diminished. Their beauty faded. They became weak and vulnerable.

Suddenly, their lovers abandoned them because they hadn’t loved them—only what they could gain from them. They discovered that their lovers had been taking advantage of them all along, and they were enemies.

This is the price we pay for falling in love with the world or with the wrong people. At the moment, they may offer us everything we need to fulfill our dreams. They may offer rewards or make seductive promises. But what is their real goal? What is in their hearts? What is the actual price and long-term impact of their offer?

The Bible warns, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4 NASB).

Today, examine your life. To whom are you committed? Who do you really love? What friendships have you formed? Whom are you trusting?

Commit your life to God, loving Him and His Word more than anything else. Ask Him to give you discernment about the people and things of this world, so you can seek what matters.

Reflection Question: Are you friends with the world or friends with God? How do you know?