Like any counterfeit, the thorough way to recognize the danger of secularism is to be conformed to the sacred. This is why the knowledge of the Word of God is so important. If we find something in the church that is contrary to scripture but is taught in the secular world, then that church has become, in part, secularized.

The following is a list of things that are examples of worldliness in the church.

1. The Bible is increasingly competed against (2 Tim.4:1-5). That is, the Bible is merely inclusive and not exclusive. There is an obvious prejudice against the exclusiveness of the Bible.

2. The Gospel is Taught as a solution verses salvation. In this world of relativism, it is not popular to claim that Jesus is the only way to be saved. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not an alternative... it is God's ultimatum.

3. There is a feeling of embarrassment as a witness of Christ. Our silence is Satan's victory.

4. Tolerance verses dogmatism is consider essential. A worldly church is more concerned with public-relations verses a personal relationship with Christ. In particular, you will find a worldly similarity in the music program.

5. There is a fear of offending the world. Obviously, we should not be offensive just for the sake of being offensive, but we should not be timid in speaking the truth of God's word when the need arises. The gospel that offends no one is not the gospel of the Bible.

6. A greater emphasis on moral and social issues verses spiritual issues. Moral and social preaching left to it self is a form of godliness while denying the power of the cross.

7. Prayer, worship, and fellowship with God is reduced to a formality and left there.

The world cannot afford a worldly church. Our chief asset is the Word of God rightly divided. This alone is what keeps a division between the world and the Church.

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