This domination of the world over man is seen today in every area of life. The popular phrase, “I am my own person,” is false and foolish, because every person is dominated by the world. For example, most people just “follow the trends,” the trends of dress, hair style, morality, and countless other things. Most people think that these trends are isolated, that they are all unrelated and are without any meaning. On the contrary, they are not isolated; they are all part of an underlying philosophy–worldliness. 

4 ὅτι πᾶν τὸ γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ νικᾷ τὸν κόσμον· καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ νίκη ἡ νικήσασα τὸν κόσμον, ἡ πίστις ἡμῶν. 1 John 5:4 (NA28)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NASB) 

Depending upon a given context, world (κόσμος (kosmos)) can mean several things: earth, human race, et cetera. In its some 188 occurrences, however, it usually speaks of the “world system” or “world order,” that is, the values, pleasures, inclinations, philosophies, goals, drives, purposes, attitudes, and actions of society. This system is totally man-centered and is quite vivid in the humanistic and relativistic society of today.

Think about this contrast: Jesus’ words were “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”However, man’s words are, “Not your will, but mine be done!”

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