©2008, Crossway Books, 191 pp. in hardback

As a Christian do you daily wrestle with worldliness? This book is an important reminder that you and I must. None of the contributors are opposed to our enjoying God’s creation and the material blessings He has allowed us to steward. Their concern is the wise words the inspired John wrote in I John. 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything the world.”

The contributors approach this subject topically. Mindful of scripture’s testimony of Demas, C. J. Mahaney address the Christian’s need to be vigilant for the subtle temptation of the being conformed to the fallen world in which we live. He asks some perceptive questions that penetrate to the root of how you and I are fairing in the daily presence of this temptation.

Other authors (Craig Cabaness, Bob Kauflin, Dave Harvey) each address a subset of worldliness – media, music, material possession, and modesty. Each writes with humility in regard to threats from these spheres in their life and with helpful steps to employ in order to flee these temptations. These authors are concerned with readers at a heart level. This is constantly important for us because it is tempting to think that if we can cover our missteps so that we portray a good Christian walk before our family and friends that everything is okay. By continually causing the reader to look at motives and heart desires, the writers keep the focus where it should be – on the inner man. Questions are often provided that allow the reader to reflect on why he really uses time segments as he does in these various areas. These men are careful to avoid saying throw away the television or unhook the computer. Instead they provide wise counsel that can help one to use the media, music, and possessions to God’s glory.

In his chapter on clothing, C.J. Mahaney, addresses fathers on the importance of responsibility to determine modesty issues regarding what females in the family wear in public. He writes with an awareness of the difficulty in finding modest clothing, and with the experience of having walked this road as his daughters grew into their teen years and all had to confront the modest apparel issue personally. Included in the chapter is reflection from a grown daughter on the importance of scriptural teaching and her father’s rules and input in her teen years. These words should encourage parents who are facing or will confront this issue to be biblically prepared to offer and maintain wise boundaries for the purchase and wearing of clothing. Very helpful appendices on one’s heart and modesty and modesty and wedding dresses are also included.

As alluded to earlier, the framework of the book does not push readers to withdrawing from the world.  We are not to live as hermits. In a final chapter Jeff Purswell, provides insight to enjoying and engaging this world God has made.

At the end of the book discussion questions are included for each chapter. This increases the book’s utility for Bible study groups.

The authors address a subject that needs much discussion today. While pointing out pitfalls of worldliness they provide much positive practical advice to help individuals and families face the temptation of  worldliness in a God-honoring manner. It is a book that Christians can repeatedly return to as they constantly guard their own hearts from the tentacles of worldliness.

Review ©2009 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia