Definition and Context:
In the Christian theological framework, "friendship with the world" refers to a relationship or alignment with worldly values, systems, and practices that are contrary to the teachings and principles of God as revealed in the Bible. This concept is often discussed in the context of spiritual fidelity and the believer's call to live a life set apart from secular influences that oppose God's will.

Biblical References:
The notion of friendship with the world is explicitly addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the Epistle of James. James 4:4 states, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This verse underscores the incompatibility between allegiance to worldly values and loyalty to God, using strong language to convey the seriousness of such a divided allegiance.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, friendship with the world is seen as spiritual adultery. It implies a breach of the covenant relationship between the believer and God, akin to unfaithfulness in a marriage. The use of the term "adulteresses" in James 4:4 highlights the gravity of this spiritual infidelity. The world, in this context, represents a system that is in rebellion against God, characterized by sin, materialism, and moral relativism.

Contrast with Godly Living:
The Bible consistently calls believers to live in a manner that is distinct from the world. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves a rejection of worldly patterns and an embrace of God's will, which is described as "good, pleasing, and perfect."

Warnings and Consequences:
The Scriptures warn of the consequences of aligning with the world. In 1 John 2:15-17 , believers are admonished, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This passage further explains that the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life are not from the Father but from the world. The transient nature of the world and its desires is contrasted with the eternal nature of doing God's will.

Practical Application:
For Christians, the call to avoid friendship with the world involves a conscious effort to prioritize God's values over secular ones. This may manifest in various aspects of life, including relationships, entertainment choices, career decisions, and ethical standards. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment through prayer and study of the Scriptures to navigate the challenges of living in a world that often opposes their faith.

Historical and Cultural Considerations:
Throughout church history, the tension between engaging with the world and maintaining spiritual purity has been a recurring theme. Early Christians faced persecution for their refusal to conform to Roman societal norms, and similar challenges persist today as believers navigate a rapidly changing cultural landscape. The call to be "in the world but not of the world" (John 17:14-16) remains a guiding principle for Christians seeking to live out their faith authentically.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not advocate for complete withdrawal from the world, it calls for a distinct separation in terms of values and priorities. Friendship with the world is seen as a significant spiritual danger, requiring vigilance and commitment to God's truth.1 John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Topicalbible.org

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
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1 John 3:13
Marvel not, my brothers, if the world hate you.
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John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
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1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
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1 John 3:1-24
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
Topicalbible.org

James 4:4
You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Topicalbible.org

On Friendship with the World
... Second Series Sermon 80 On Friendship with the World. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

Communion Broken --Restoration
... realized the solemn truth of many passages in the Word of GOD that speak in no measured
terms of the folly, the danger, the sin of friendship with the world. ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section ii communion brokenrestoration.htm

A Warning Rejected.
... messenger that would have corrected the evils which separated them from God, and
with greater eagerness they turned to seek the friendship of the world. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /21 a warning rejected.htm

A Warning Rejected
... messenger that would have corrected the evils which separated them from God, and
with greater eagerness they turned to seek the friendship of the world. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 21 a warning rejected.htm

The Eighth Chapter: the Intimate Friendship of Jesus
... BOOK TWO. THE INTERIOR LIFE The Eighth Chapter: The Intimate Friendship of
Jesus. ... Is it not a greater loss than losing the whole world? ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eighth chapter the intimate.htm

The World's Hatred, as Christ Saw It
... relation to God. It is one thing or other. 'Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.'
'The friendship of the world is enmity against God.'. IV. ...
/.../the worlds hatred as christ.htm

James iv. 4, 5
... and Mammon. "Ye adulterers, and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship
of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iv 4 5.htm

The Unchangeable Christ
... shield themselves, in an armour of stoical indifference"of utter selfishness, being
sure that at all events there was one friendship in the world which could ...
/.../all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxi the unchangeable christ.htm

Practical Observations.
... Then you cannot be filled with the spirit of this world. "Be not conformed to
this world." "The friendship of the world is enmity to God.". ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 33.htm

On the Immeasurable Joys of Heaven.
... Those persons, Lord, are out of their right senses, and are raving, who would needs
compare Thy faithful friendship and the world's friendship together. ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xii on the immeasurable.htm

Friendship ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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Friendship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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