15. Mr. Worldly Wiseman

Now as Christian was walking all alone, he notices someone else in the distance on his way across the field coming to meet him. And so it happened that they met just when their paths crossed. The name of this particular gentleman was Mr. Worldly Wiseman who resided in the Town of Carnal-Policy, a very large community not far removed from Christian’s former home Town. So, this man met Christian and acted as if he knew of his coming beforehand; the reason was that pilgrims setting out from the City of Destruction were usually the subject of intense gossip that spread to many distant towns. Therefore because Mr. Worldly Wiseman had some inkling of his coming, he was easily able to observe Christian’s laborious approach, his sighs and groans and the like, and thus engage him in sympathetic conversation.

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

1. Do you think that the Christian pilgrimage that we are all on is meant to be walked alone?
2. What do you think you can expect from Mr. Worldly Wiseman who comes from the town of Carnal-Policy? What does his name lead you to think what kind of man he is?
3. Do you think this is a pre-arranged meeting set forth by the enemy?

“Worldliness: it involves love for earthly things, esteem for earthly values, and preoccupation with earthly cares. Scripture plainly labels it sin – and sin of the worst stripe. It is a spiritual form of adultery that sets one against God himself.” (James 4:4) – John MacArthur

“All the danger is when the world gets into our heart. The water is useful for the sailing of the ship; all the danger is when the water gets into the ship; so, the fear is when the world gets into the heart.” – Thomas Watson

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)