The World

You will often hear Christians negatively referring to "the world". What they are talking about is any desire or propagated belief that influences our thinking or perception of how things should be that isn't heavenly, holy or of God. Anything we do in life to feel happiness, joy, acceptance, purpose, etc. which replaces God and His abundant blessings is "the world". Glorifying the gifts above the Giver is "the world".

The world could be characterized by messages the media puts forth about how we should look, feel or act. What society respects and lives for (wealth, intelligence, fame, social standing, etc.) could also reveal the world's influence on our thinking. This concept is so over-arching, so ingrained into the fabric of our lives and beliefs, that a characterization as expansive as "the world" became necessary to articulate or personify this reality.

Perhaps the best thing I can do to help you understand this concept is show you an example of what "the world" does. My deepest thanks to Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty for exposing this. The World's Influence...