Chapter 10: Rule the World—Do Not Love It
1. The Original Command: Rule and Subdue
The command given to man in Genesis 1:28 was not to love the earth (in the sense of idolizing it or being enslaved by its systems) or surrender to it but to rule over it as God’s stewards: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Gen. 1:28).
God gave humanity dominion, not to be enslaved by the world but to govern it under His authority. There is a reason why ruling and subduing was given as a command—it was not an automatic reality but a responsibility that required obedience and alignment with God’s purposes. God, in His wisdom, knew that the world and its fallen systems (often referred to as “the world” in a negative sense in the New Testament) would have the power to rule and subdue us if we were not careful. The desires, pleasures, and ambitions of this fallen world system often pull us away from God. Instead of ruling over these influences, many have become slaves to them—chasing wealth, status, and comfort at the expense of their souls.
This book aims to shift our focus from the love of this world system to the love of God. Those who have found themselves subdued by the world must be freed to submit to a better Master. Paul understood this deeply and declared: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Rom. 6:22).
Indeed, it is far better to be a servant of Christ than a slave to the world. My prayer in writing this book is that as we lift our eyes to God and learn to love Him, the dominating love of the world will vanish from our hearts.
2. The Danger of Loving the World
The apostle John strongly warns believers about the deceptive love of the “world” (referring to the sinful world system, its values, and desires): “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15).
John does not say we should hate God’s creation, for “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). Rather, John warns us not to be attached to the sinful system of the world—the values, priorities, and desires that oppose God’s kingdom.
What does it mean to love the world? John continues: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
The lust of the flesh—The pursuit of sensual pleasure above godliness; gratifying sinful physical cravings.
The lust of the eyes—The craving for possessions, material things, and visual enticements; covetousness.
The pride of life—The pursuit of status, power, recognition, and self-glorification; arrogance based on one’s position or possessions.
When our affections are tied to what the world offers, we begin to drift from our true calling. Instead of ruling as God’s stewards, we become trapped by its deceitfulness. Jesus made this clear: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money [mammon]” (Matt. 6:24).
Trying to love both God and the world system is spiritual adultery—it is an attempt to belong to two kingdoms that are in direct opposition to each other. The one who tries to please both masters ends up being rejected by both. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Story to Illustrate: Serving Two Masters
Imagine a soldier who swears allegiance to two opposing kings who are at war with each other. He tries to wear the uniform of one army in the morning and the other in the afternoon. He attempts to follow the commands of both leaders. It’s an impossible situation. He will inevitably betray one if not both. His loyalty is divided, and therefore he has no true loyalty. He cannot effectively serve either master. Loving the world system while claiming to love God is just as untenable. Our heart’s allegiance must be singular.
3. The Better Master: Loving God Above All
True freedom and proper dominion are found not in loving the world but in loving God. Jesus Christ is the only Master who gives true life: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
To rule the world rightly (as God’s stewards, exercising dominion over creation and resisting the allure of the fallen world system), we must first be ruled by Christ. If we surrender to Him, He will guide us in stewarding creation, wealth, influence, and power in a way that glorifies God rather than enslaving us.
Paul reminds us: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:2–3).
To rule is to have authority over something. If we love the world (system), we give it authority over us. But when we love God first, the world loses its grip, and we can rightly take our position as those who reign in life through Christ (Rom. 5:17) and fulfill our creational mandate under His lordship.
APPLICATION: WHO RULES YOUR HEART?
Our hearts will always have a “ruler”—the dominant desire or affection that shapes our choices and priorities. It’s either God or something in the world’s system (e.g., possessions, pleasure, pride, people’s approval).
Honest Assessment:
Who or what truly rules your heart? Is it God, or is it some aspect of the world (e.g., career, comfort, acceptance, possessions, pleasure)? Be specific and honest with yourself.
Are there areas of your life where you find yourself trying to “serve two masters”—attempting to gain the approval or benefits of the world while also trying to follow Christ? What are the tensions you experience?
Testimony of Allegiance: Can you share a testimony of an area or a time in your life when you made a conscious decision to give your full allegiance to Christ, turning away from a worldly desire or ambition? What was the result? How did God meet you in that decision?
Discussion Questions for Chapter 10
- What is the difference between appreciating God’s creation (which is good) and “loving the world” in the way John warns against (1 John 2:15–16)?
- How do “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” try to “rule” over believers today? Give some modern examples.
- In what practical ways can believers “set their minds on things above” (Col. 3:2–3) so they can rule over worldly influences rather than be ruled by them?