A Layman’s Guide to Spiritual Influence According to the Bible
If you’ve ever heard someone talk about the “spirit of the world” in church or read about it in the Bible, you might’ve wondered what that really means. Is it just another phrase for evil? Is it something mysterious? Or is it a practical concept that affects our everyday lives? Let’s break it down in everyday language.
What Is the “Spirit of the World”?
At its core, the “spirit of the world” is a phrase the Bible uses to describe a powerful influence that pulls people away from God. You can think of it like a current in the river—if you’re not paying attention, you’re swept along wherever it goes. This influence encourages people to focus on things like money, power, pleasure, and popularity rather than on what God wants for them.
In other words, the spirit of the world is all about putting worldly values first: chasing possessions, feeding desires, and living for yourself. It contrasts with spiritual values—like love, kindness, peace, and self-control—which come from God.
How Does the Spirit of the World Show Up in Everyday Life?
You don’t have to look far to see the spirit of the world in action. It’s in the advertisements that tell you you’re not good enough unless you buy their products. It’s in social media, where value is measured by likes and followers. It’s in the pressure to succeed at all costs, even if it means cutting corners or putting others down.
People influenced by the spirit of the world often show certain behaviors, such as:
· Disobedience—ignoring what’s right and doing what feels good or easy instead
· Lust—wanting things or people in a way that’s selfish or unhealthy
· Greed—always wanting more, never being satisfied
· Pride—thinking you’re better than others or that you don’t need God
· Envy—being jealous of what others have
These attitudes can be summed up as living for yourself and ignoring God’s ways.
The Bible’s Contrast: Spirit of the World vs. Holy Spirit
The Bible doesn’t just warn about the spirit of the world—it offers a solution. That solution is the Holy Spirit, which is God’s own Spirit given to believers. While the spirit of the world leads people toward selfishness and emptiness, the Holy Spirit leads them toward love, wisdom, and true freedom.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about these two “spirits”:
The Spirit of the World
· Opposes God’s ways
· Makes it hard for people to understand spiritual truth
· Encourages worldly values: money, popularity, pleasure, etc.
· Leads to emptiness and brokenness
The Holy Spirit
· Comes from God and lives in believers
· Helps people understand the truth about God
· Encourages spiritual values: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
· Leads to real fulfillment and purpose
Blindness to Truth
One of the things the Bible points out is that people under the influence of the spirit of the world struggle to “see” or understand God’s truth. It’s like trying to read in the dark: no matter how hard you squint, you can’t make out the words. Spiritual truths—like God’s love, forgiveness, and plan for your life—don’t make sense to someone who’s only focused on worldly things.
The Bible says that the “natural man,” meaning someone who isn’t guided by God’s Spirit, doesn’t accept spiritual things—they seem foolish to them. Only those who receive the Holy Spirit become able to truly understand the deeper things of God.
Fruits of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh
The Bible uses two lists to help us understand the difference between living by the spirit of the world and living by the Holy Spirit.
Works of the Flesh (Spirit of the World):
· Sexual immorality
· Jealousy
· Anger
· Selfishness
· Division
· Envy
Fruits of the Spirit (Holy Spirit):
· Love
· Joy
· Peace
· Patience
· Kindness
· Goodness
· Faithfulness
· Gentleness
· Self-control
These lists show just how different the two influences are. One leads to broken relationships and inner emptiness; the other leads to healthy relationships and true satisfaction.
Spiritual Warfare: The Battle We Don’t See
The Bible talks about “spiritual warfare,” which basically means there’s a battle going on behind the scenes. It’s not a fight with swords or guns, but a struggle between God’s Spirit and the spirit of the world for our hearts and minds.
It’s easy to forget about this battle because it’s invisible. But its effects are everywhere: the constant temptation to put ourselves first, the pull toward bitterness or anger, the distractions that keep us from loving God and others.
Believers are encouraged to be aware of this battle and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength. The Bible says, “Put on the full armor of God,” which means using faith, prayer, and truth to fight back against negative influences.
The Holy Spirit as Guide and Teacher
So, how do believers actually live by the Holy Spirit instead of the spirit of the world? It’s not about being perfect or always making the right choice. It’s about asking God to guide, teach, and transform your heart.
The Holy Spirit helps believers:
· Understand the Bible and God’s will
· Make wise decisions
· Resist temptation
· Love others—even when it’s hard
· Experience God’s peace and joy
According to the Bible (especially passages like 1 Corinthians 2:10-16), only God’s Spirit can help us understand the deeper things of God—his plans, his love, his purpose. The Holy Spirit acts as a personal guide, revealing what’s true and helping believers live out their faith in real, practical ways.
Why It Matters: The Difference It Makes
All of this might sound philosophical, but it has real-life consequences. When people live by the spirit of the world, relationships suffer, life feels empty, and there’s a constant need for more—more stuff, more attention, more excitement. That’s because the spirit of the world can never satisfy.
But when people receive and follow the Holy Spirit, they experience real change. They find love where there used to be bitterness, joy where there used to be sadness, and peace even when life is hard. The Bible says that believers actually receive the “mind of Christ”—meaning they start to see life the way Jesus does, with compassion, wisdom, and hope.
Practical Ways to Choose God’s Spirit Over the Spirit of the World
So what can you do if you want to live by God’s Spirit and not be pulled by the spirit of the world? Here are some practical steps:
· Read the Bible regularly: God’s truth becomes clearer when you spend time in his Word.
· Pray for guidance: Ask God to help you see life from his perspective.
· Connect with other believers: Join a community where you can encourage and be encouraged.
· Practice spiritual habits: Things like worship, serving others, and generosity help you grow spiritually.
· Pay attention to your influences: Limit what pulls you toward worldly values and fill your life with positive, godly input.
Final Thoughts
To sum it all up, the “spirit of the world” is a real influence that shapes how people think, feel, and act—often in ways that run against what God wants for them. The Bible warns us about its power but doesn’t leave us hopeless. God offers his own Spirit—the Holy Spirit—to guide, teach, and empower us to live lives full of meaning, love, and truth.
You don’t have to be a theologian or a spiritual expert to understand this battle or make a choice. Every day, you can ask God to fill you with his Spirit and help you live in a way that’s different from the world around you. The difference is not just in how you act, but in how you experience life—from emptiness to fullness, from confusion to clarity, and from selfishness to love.
If you’re curious, take some time to read passages like 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Galatians 5:19-26, and Ephesians 6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, talk to others, and explore what it means to live by the Spirit. The Bible promises that God’s Spirit is available to everyone who seeks him—and that’s good news worth sharing.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 