Our relationship to the world

[erine]

On the one hand, the world is God’s beautiful creation and work. On the other hand, it is ruled by Satan.

It’s the heresy of gnosticism to say that the flesh and the world are evil, and the church says the flesh is not inherently bad or the world. But also it is a vale of tears…on the other hand, Mary is the Queen of heaven and of earth!

I am just wondering what is the best relationship to have with the world. I know it’s being in the world but not a slave to it, being the light of Christ in the dark sinful world. I just sometimes ponder the above teachings and their apparent contradictions and am curious what other people make of them. I’m not bothered by them because I know they are easily reconcilable, just think it’s interesting and wonder what thoughts people have about it.

 

[Monica4316]

I think all the things like trees, animals, etc, - that is creation… we should love and respect it but of course put God first always. The “world” is all the stuff in human society that has been corrupted by evil. I think it’s best to just stay away from all that, but since we often can’t, as lay people, we can bring God there through our actions, prayers, etc. This would help other souls. But we should never be “of the world”. Loving creation (in the right order) is not “of the world”. But even with creation we should not get too attached, but focus on Heaven, our eternal true home. We should love it for God’s sake, to see Him in everything He made, - a good example of someone who saw the world this way is St Francis.

God bless Hope that helps.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

The answer is simply moderation. Things like food, drink, and pleasure are fine so long as it’s not in excess in relation to your station in life and to Christian morality. You can enjoy the good things in life so as long as you don’t let them blind you to what’s more and most important.

 

[Monica4316]

The answer is simply moderation. Things like food, drink, and pleasure are fine so long as it’s not in excess in relation to your station in life and to Christian morality. You can enjoy the good things in life so as long as you don’t let them blind you to what’s more and most important.

But I think our nature is such that we easily get bound… so often it’s good to fast for that reason

it’s according to our state of life as you said.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

But I think our nature is such that we easily get bound… so often it’s good to fast for that reason

it’s according to our state of life as you said.

In some areas yes, in some no. There’s also always the good possibility of one gaining control over one’s own passions.

 

[Monica4316]

In some areas yes, in some no. There’s also always the good possibility of one gaining control over one’s own passions.

i don’t want to derail the thread, but I’m just interested, - do you have ideas on how to do that? (to gain control over ones passions). I’ve found that it’s not really possible without - giving them up for a time. Because on some level, we do have that attachment.

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

I think of the world in 4 ways:
1- The natural world, Animals, Plants etc. All that is fine and beautiful
2- The unhuman world, crimes, violence, etc
3- The sports world, everything that has to do with sports is amazing (lol).
4- The World with the church, charity, love etc.

Obviously number 2 sucks, but 3 and 4 make it not that bad for now lol. 1 is cool too.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I struggled with this question for a long time and have found a way to live in the world but not be of it. Basically, I am here, I have a vocation in life, I meet all sorts of people and encounter a range of different situations. I could (and have in the past) easily fall into sin and distance myself from God. By doing so I would become like the world. The key is for me to always focus on God, to make sure he is the centre of my life and that everything I do is done in relation to His will. In this way I can be detached form things that are not of God and still live in this world.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

i don’t want to derail the thread, but I’m just interested, - do you have ideas on how to do that? (to gain control over ones passions). I’ve found that it’s not really possible without - giving them up for a time. Because on some level, we do have that attachment.

Sometimes when you can’t give up something, there might actually be a good reason for it. For instance, if you try to abstain from food you realize that you never ate that much to begin with and are now suffering from stomach problems because of your attempt at fasting. There are times too when you need one sort of passion to divert your mind from an unhealthier one. I personally use such a method. It’s not perfect but when it works, it really works.