1 John 4:4-5, “4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” 

A “worldview” is the way in which you see the world. Included in one’s worldview are beliefs about God, the purpose of life, morality, family values and even politics. Consider a worldview like the glasses you see the entire world through.

Everyone has a worldview, however, not all worldviews are created equal nor are they all used consistently.

For example, if you had an “atheistic worldview” then everything you see would be filtered through the assumption that there is no god. If you were to be consistent with your worldview while looking at flowers you’d say, “Look at what blind evolutionary processes made accidently over time.” Or when looking at a baby, “Here is a clump of cells that will help reproduce the human species so that it can hopefully survive another generation.”

However, if you have a “biblical worldview” you’d see the same flowers as the atheist but you’d say, “Look at what God created through His natural laws.” Or when looking at a baby, “I see a beautiful and unique person created in the image of God.” There are many worldviews in life people can chose from. For example, the Islamic worldview, the New Age/Hindu worldview or even the materialistic “me-centered” worldview are options to see the world. However, according to God’s Word there are only two real worldviews- God’s and the world’s.

That is why John in today’s passage taught we need to recognize the difference between things that come from God and things that come from the world (including the devil’s work because he is the “god/ruler of this age”). The good news for the disciple is that our worldview is greater than all the other perspectives because it comes from God Himself. We shouldn’t get discouraged when we see worldly-minded people prospering or convincing other worldly people of their view because Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

Here are three ways to stand for a biblical worldview; (1) Base all your values on the Word of God. (2) Live you life by God’s Word, with prayer being led by the Holy Spirit. (3) Confront other worldviews with the Word of God. Remember; don’t let society force you to take off your biblical worldview glasses when you enter the work place, school or government. Everyone, including the godless, wear their worldview glasses everywhere they go- so be sure to wear yours!

Reflection

Are you standing for a biblical worldview?

Action

  1. Explain from the Bible why you should stand for a biblical worldview. Alister McGrath said, “Christianity offers a worldviewthat leads to the generation of moral values and ideals that are able to give moral meaning and dignity to our existence.”
  2. Pray that God will use you to reach out with His worldview and compel with sound biblical reason those who see things differently.
  3. Resources: “Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview” by Dr. J.P. Moreland & “Foundations of Christian Thought,” by Dr. Mark Cosgrove.

One Year Reading Plan

Haggai 1:1-2:23, Revelation 11:1-19, Psalm 139:1-24, & Proverbs 30:15-16. Click here to read online.