I John 5:19 “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
Here we see the great contrast between those who “know that we are of God” and “the whole world” that “lieth in wickedness”. Those who “know that we are of God” are often plagued with temptation; for, “the whole world” that “lieth in wickedness” is constantly appealing to their carnal mind, tempting and enticing them to disobey God and partake of that which is forbidden. Even Christian Churches are tempted to leave the simple and sincere worship prescribed in the Word of God and add worldly entertainment and activities to their worship services. Once people begin to mix worldliness with their worship, the carnal lust is like a hunger that is never filled, they continue to add more and more of the world’s carnal enticements until eventually they no longer even look like a Biblical Church. Thus, we have such Commandments as “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23) and “be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58) and “take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13) and “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3). Therefore, let us who “know that we are of God” prayerfully strive to “be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2) to our Lord and His Holy Word!