What "world" means in the Church?
By "world" is meant the category of sin, that is, the flock of unbelieving people, those who have willingly joined the counsels of the devils. It is the world for which the Savior did not pray. It is the mouth of the village, the mouth of the neighbor, and, often, the mouth and deeds of those in the same house as you. They, or the world, forgive you any wickedness you do, no matter how much you may try with your soul, but they never forgive you for taking a step ahead of them and becoming better. These people of the world have a strange shame for being good. Your goodness burns them, and they strive to exonerate you with all kinds of slander. "The world" is the cunning age, the pleasures of men, and vain glory. The mouth of the world speaks of its ruler. That is why we have the commandment: "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of the Father.
Saint Arsenius of Prislop
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