It is impossible for the mind to be governed at the same time by two opposite principles. The love of the world–and the love of God–are diametrically opposed to each other. "If any man loves the world–the love of the Father is not in him." "Don’t you know that the friendship of the world–is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world–is the enemy of God." "You cannot serve both God–and mammon."
To borrow a quaint illustration from one of our old writers, “When you see a dog following two men – so long as they walk together, you do not know to which of them the dog belongs. But let them come to a parting road and there separate from each other–then it will soon be seen who is the owner, for the dog will follow his master wherever he goes."
Just so, an individual may pursue the world, and retain a Christian profession at the same time–and it is often difficult to ascertain whether God or the world possesses his affections. But by and bye he comes to a parting road, when God calls him one way, and the world another way–and then he will show to whom he really belongs. If God is his master–then he will follow and obey God. But if the world is his master–then he will follow after it!
Author: John McDuff
Changi Chapel 
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