Stop Loving the World

Puritan Treasures for Today

by William Greenhill

Live in this world in such a way that people recognize that God is your treasure. Do you live in this world in such a way that people recognize that it is not your treasure? The Puritans were greatly concerned with suppressing worldliness in the church. Today, worldliness is an even greater problem, exacerbated by the fact that so few dare to speak out against it. In this book, William Greenhill provides modern readers with a healthy antidote to our love affair with the world. He explains what it means to love the world, exposes the dangers of cherishing it, shares how we ought to relate to it, and gives encouraging directions for removing our hearts from it. This is a book with a timeless message, demonstrating the relevance of the Puritans for today. By God’s grace, it will help persuade you that the world and all its charms are not what you should live for. Table of Preface 1. Concerning the World and Our Love for It 2. Reasons for Not Loving the World 3. Our Relationship to God’s Creation 4. Applications of the Doctrine 5. Further Motives for Not Loving the World 6. Directions for Getting Our Hearts off the World Series Interest in the Puritans continues to grow, but many people find the reading these giants of the faith a bit unnerving. This series seeks to overcome that barrier by presenting Puritan books that are convenient in size and unintimidating in length. Each book is carefully edited with modern readers in mind, smoothing out difficult language of a bygone era while retaining the meaning of the original authors. Books for the series are thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today. Author William Greenhill (1598–1671) was member of the Westminster Assembly and a prominent preacher among Congregationalists. Several of his works have been reprinted by Soli Deo Gloria Publications. “‘Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold’ is a modern paraphrase of Paul’s warning in Romans 12:2 regarding conformity to this world. William Greenhill’s sermon, carefully edited in this volume and made more digestible by introducing separate chapters to the Puritan’s lengthy discourse, is as timely as it is necessary. Truth is, we are all too much in love with this world and too little in love with the world to come. Worldliness pervades our churches as much as our individual lives and we need to do something about it—quickly. Stop Loving the World is not pleasant reading—for it calls attention to a sin that we would sooner tolerate than mortify; but, if we are serious about godliness, mortify it we must. A book to read slowly, carefully, and prayerfully.” — Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS

Genres: Christian Living, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2010

Reviews

[Heather Gorsett]

Originally a sermon preached in more than one service, this little book packs a punch! If you are wanting to get started on reading the Puritans, these Treasures for Today are the perfect beginning. This title is the recommended start in Joel Beeke’s, Following God Fully.

I intend to search my heart moving forward, seeking a responsible understanding of what the biblical mandate to stop loving the world really means. Wealth, fame, power, material conveniences and comforts are among the obvious ways to love the world. More subtle ways include control and influence, having our wills be done. This book has a timeless message and I highly recommend it!

[Bobby Bonser]

A Puritan classic by a lesser known pastor, William GreenHill. GreenHill does an excellent job expositing I John 2:15 in this book. The book is clear, concise and helpful in many ways as it uses scripture to probe our affinity for the things of the world. The end result of finishing the book is that the reader begins to hold the things of the world with more of an open palm, realizing we have been granted temporary stewardship of the material things which many build their lives around. These things are all God's, and He can give and take away as He pleases. The other affect on the reader is a growing affinity for God Himself. My favorite quotes were:

"If you I would have your heart removed from the things of the world, behold the crucified and glorified Lord Jesus Christ. Set Christ crucified often before your eyes, and look on Him with the eye of faith."

"If we would keep our hearts from loving the world we must love God Himself more. The more our love for God grows, the more our hearts will be estranged from the world. In living God more, we will view creation for what it is, and God as infinitely more valuable than the world and all that is in it."

The only point of dissention I have with GreenHill is his interpretation of the Sabbath. He views the Sabbath as binding/literal for New Covenant believers whereas I believe it is clear from Hebrews (And Colossians 2:16-17) that the Sabbath was a picture of Christ who is the fullness of the Sabbath. The other 9 commandments are repeated in the New Testament but not the fourth.

Despite this very small contention it is an excellent and edifying book to read.

[Derek VanRoekel]

I started reading this book right away when I heard about it because this has been a topic weighing heavy on me recently. I’ve been focused on obtaining, accomplishing, and planning a variety of “worldly” matters, to the extent that I’ve been distracted from more important matters - namely, cultivating affection for Jesus.

I appreciate that this book is concise. From the Puritan writings I’ve read so far, they seem to be high on content and low on word count. That’s refreshing since books today are often “fluffy” and should likely be article-length, rather than book-length.

I found myself convinced and convicted. Greenhill makes a good case and I am the person he intended this writing for. Here are a few of the many convicting highlights:

-“We love the world when our thoughts are fixed on the world. What a person loves, their thoughts are much upon.”
-“We are said to love the world when we employ most of our strength in, on, and about the things of this world.”
-“Men can endure any difficulty and danger to get estates, but they will hardly endure anything to get heaven, grace, or an interest in Christ.”
-“It is a dangerous thing to live in sin, no matter how pleasing, profitable, or honorable it may seem. And if you love the world, you live in sin.”

Greenhill goes on to provide a number of reasons not to love the world and then instructs how we should stop doing so. I won’t spoil it because I think you should read it. I will end here:

“If you would have your heart removed from the things of the world, behold the crucified and glorified Lord Jesus Christ. Set Christ crucified often before your eyes, and look on Him with the eye of faith.”

[Liane Anderson]

I really liked the organization of the book. It flowed from reasons to not love the world to “directions for getting our hearts off the world”. The proportion of time spent in reasons and motives to not love the world felt a bit long but it’s a short book so hang in there if you feel similarly, it will be worth it in the end with little effort. Most interesting chapters to me were ch 3: our relationship to God’s creation and ch 6 as mentioned above.

[Valerie Romero]

another great little book! and perfect for all the distractions in this day and age.

oh Lord, may our eyes and hope stay fixed on You and long to be with You.

[Jeff]

This is a deeply convicting, unrelenting, gut punch of a book. I bought this to read because I struggle with worldliness, only to find that I struggle way more than I even knew. Uncomfortable, humbling, beautiful. A must read for every Christian.

[Philip Brown]

Really good!

[Alejandro Guillen]

Antibiotic for the soul.

[Kyle]

You wanna be reminded how sinful you are? Read this book.

[RevRonR]

The Puritans were amazing physicians of the soul. They also understood human nature, it’s inherent proclivity towards sin and the things of this world, and best of all what to do about it. It’s sad in our times that we very rarely hear a sermon about the topic of love for the world and enmity toward God. Perhaps Christians have become too accommodating to the things of the world and the love of many is waxing cold. Though it’s almost impossible to hear a sermon on the mortification of sin, being set apart for God, saying no to worldly things and it’s love, still William Greenhill doesn’t fail us in any way. Anyone who desires to truly walk in faith in Christ must address the issues that Greenhill (and the Puritans in general) placed before us. Are we up to the challenge? This is a excellent short work on a most important topic. I encourage all true Christians to read it, absorb it, and put its principles into practice in daily living.

[Madi Diane]

William Greenhill delivered a very concise and thorough evaluation of what it means to love the world and why Christ calls us to not love it.

He starts off with an eye opener, how most of us cling to things that are expedient and pleasurable rather than clinging to God. Loving the gifts more than the giver and not understanding that everything in this life is essentially “borrowed” rather than truly ours. The only thing that no one can take away from us is our salvation and faith yet we allow it to be on the back burner while indulging in the expedient.

He touches base on how this is the nature of humans, relating it to Adam and Eve, when they chose the creation over the Creator, and ate the fruit instead obeying God. How we satiate our desires with talk of gain, influence, power, rather than spreading the gospel (Matthew 12:34). After speaking on the concept, he gives supporting evidence of why we should not be lovers of the world with the main reason being, it will never satisfy us. We will always want more in our state of human depravity, never being fulfilled or at peace (Ecclesiastes 5:10). It only disappoints, causes destruction, and leaves us bitter and wavering.

I enjoyed this short but powerful read, I give it four stars because it was a bit redundant, but necessary. It was nice to read this in tandem with the book Jeremiah in the Bible, it could have gave some more perspective rather than rules but to each their own.

[Derek van Vliet]

A great little treatise on worldliness, its definition, its bent in our carnal bodies, its secrecy, its charm, as well as its hideous origin, that you do not love the Father, and you never knew Him. If God and the world could be compared to two mountains, you are only able to choose one, and is impossible to be on both.

Greenhill gives excellent particulars for worldliness, and even greater remedies.
This is a beautiful book, and is very practical. Theological indeed, but stunningly self-searching, and guides to practical living.

[Kyle]

This ended up being a decent read. Definitely fit I to this current state I've been thinking about. Our goal shouldn't be using our callings or this world to build things of this world. The size of our homes, the materialistic things we like shouldn't be our drive in this temporary life. So do you love heavenly things, and things that please and glorify God, or do you seek to please yourself?

[Chrys Jones]

Excellent book on how to fight and avoid worldliness. This book is biblically rich, theologically sound, and extremely practical. I recommend this book for anyone willing to wade through some modernized old English. It's well worth getting past some language barriers.

[Mark Donald]

Great little work on 1 John 2:15–17 (which I am preaching on this week).

Some great content on how to identify love of the world in our hearts, the dangers of love of the world, and the remedy for love of the world.

Clear, gospel centered, and packed with wisdom.

[Catherine]

Easy length, good depth into the subject matter. Wish it was in the original English and not modernized, though. The grammar and spelling changes seem out of place when set against the methodical, thorough approach you find in most Puritan works.

[Leah Goebel]

Very practical short book worth the time and consideration. I particularly enjoyed the section on choosing a profession based on what you enjoy and your gifts rather than to just make a bunch of money.

[Hanan Zavodny]

Greenhill provides a colossal amount of Scriptural and logical arguments for not loving the world, and explains antedotes to such wrongful lusts. He even asks the reader personal questions. However, he still does not write as convictingly as Burgess, pushing his argument to the breaking point.

[Sarah]

This book was so challenging and convicting! I loved how practical it was in thinking about what loving the world might look like in our day to day lives, and how to stop loving the world and fix our eyes on the Eternal.

[Henry Hoekstra]

An excellent reminder to not love the world with remedies that help the forgetful and the ones who often look back.

[Isaac]

Greenhill is one of whom the world is not worthy. A powerful book sure to do good to all who read it with am upright heart.

[Anete Ābola]

Nice, short puritan work. I especially liked the last part of HOW not to love the world. Timeless ideas.

[Willem-Pierre Viljoen]

Note to self: Remember to read this again soon.

[Keller (Author Charles Hack) Hackbusch]

Quite good and encouraging…I was hoping for a bit more application and a bit more depth. Still recommended.

[Eric]

A fantastic and challenging read.

[Peter Kiss]

Very practical, as many puritan writings are. Maybe a little harsh at times, but not unjustifiably. I just think he could've had more advice for those struggling.

[Aaron Schuschu]

Circular reasoning and unnecessarily existential. I think God would want us to live our lives here first because life is meant to be lived, and I think it could be balanced with the next life being more important. But some people think it can’t be balanced. Like, how’s married people telling me to be single? Look at you, dummy!

[Kelton Zacharias]

Brief and practical.

[Coyle]

While I'm usually a little skeptical about "updated" language books, this one has been pretty tastefully done. And frankly, this little tract is a much-needed reminder that the Christian should not, well, love the world. William Greenhill (with whom I am familiar because of his excellent commentary on Ezekiel, which I may not have read every word of...) gives a powerful and necessary challenge to stop loving the world. In this 70 page booklet, he explains:
1) What the world is, and what it means to love it.
2) Why we should not love the world.
3) What our relationship with the world should be.
4) Applications of these truths and ways in which we can practically stop loving the world.

Though the updated language loses a bit of the original Puritan feel, the editors have done a good job of keeping the force of the content, as with this gem (which you will never, ever see in a modern book- not even one by Christians):

Children whom their parents have made idols of prove to be wayward. They turn out to be a matter of sorrow and shame, increasing their parents' fears, cares, and tears. Bitterness is multiplied because they doted on them and loved them inordinately. So it happens when we love the things of this world; if we love them, God will cross us in them. (60-61)

Highly recommended.

[John Weis]

Greenhill's sermon on the sinful love of the world provides a convicting, incisive revelation of the subtle and persistent danger lurking in every Christian's heart. The concluding paragraph provides an excellent synopsis of his message:

"And so, in closing this book, consider again our text: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). Take it this way: if your heart is wedded to the world, the Father does not love you. Or you may take it another way: you do not love the Father if your affections are chained to the world. Therefore, if you want evidence that the Father loves you and that you love the Father, stop loving the world. Instead, let your love abound more and more for the Father. Then you will have more and more evidence of His love, and evidence that you do not love the world. Thus you see many arguments, remedies, and helps for getting our hearts off the world. May the Lord make them effectual."