Scripture calls material things "the world"; and worldly men are those who occupy their intellect with these things. It is such men that Scripture rebukes when it says: "Do not love the world or the things that are in the world... The desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, an pride in one's possessions, are not of God but of the World." (Maximos the Confessor)

A modern translation of the first letter of John gives us:

"For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

Is it the world or the craving, lusting, and boasting that we are to avoid? Maximos might argue that these are but the progeny of worldliness.

I cannot match the clarity of Maximos. I recognize my worldly desires and how they can distract. But the world is God's creation and ought not, it seems to me, be wholly rejected.

When Jesus encountered illness he healed rather than rejected, showing us the will of God. There is, however, some evidence that the one illness beyond such healing is pride. If this is what Maximos means by worldliness then I will agree and ask God to forgive my pride and help me to rebuke it.