Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...

 

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV

"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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17 KJV

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" - James 4:4-5 KJV

We covenant with God when we turn our back on the world and sin and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins. When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are filled with God’s Spirit and joined to Him. If we look back to the world and sin, we are like an adulterer or an adulteress; we are unfaithful to God that bought us with His blood. God’s Spirit within us becomes jealous of the love we have for the world.

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded [for your loyalty is divided between God and the world]." - James 4:6-8 KJV

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10 KJV

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV