How Can We Be In the World But Not of It?

By Melissa McLaughlin

Our eyes sparkled as his voice carried us along. Dad and Mom read bedtime stories to us during our early childhood years. We soaked up these tales of chocolate factories, children slipping through a wardrobe, and small hobbits on grand adventures. Dad and Mom were excellent readers who drew us into the narration with animated expressions.

I sometimes felt like I had become part of the novel. In my imagination, I traveled to far-away places, fought battles against evil adversaries, and stood triumphant alongside victorious heroes.

When the chapter ended, my parents closed the book, helped us say our prayers, and turned off the lights. The chronicle was closed until tomorrow. Although I visualized myself in the settings and plots of each book, when the reading stopped, I returned to my real life.

In the world, but not of it

In these difficult days in which we live, we long for simpler times like those we remember from childhood. Sadly, real life today includes daily headlines of violence, deception, and discord.

As I considered the state of our world recently, I was reminded of this Bible passage from John 17, when Jesus prayed to our Father God before His crucifixion.

11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:11, 14-16 ESV).

I often hear believers summarize this passage, “We are in the world, but not of it.”

These are wise words, but difficult to live out.

How can we be in the world but not of it?

In the same way we view the pages of a book as if we are part of the plot and characters, yet we maintain our “real life” outside the narrative, perhaps we can do the same with the world.

Christians are lifelong Bible readers. With God’s Word in hand, we have a divine lens through which to perceive our personal lives, as well as, the history of mankind. We understand our origin, the Source of life, and the reason for love, sin, evil, and death. Most importantly, we know the hope of the nations, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord. Therefore, we have strength for today and peace for the future.

While others may grieve the plight of the world, Christians do not grieve without hope.

Believers are active participants in God’s long-range redemption plan for humanity. Therefore, we strive to live in ways that honor Christ, align with His Word, and point others to His saving grace.

Given these foundations of our faith, here are three suggestions for how to be in the world, but not of it.

1.Read the Bible. God’s Word anchors our thoughts, cleanses our minds of the world’s lies, and keeps our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we study God’s Word, we grasp God’s plans for the past, present, and future. While the world rages, we walk in the peace Christ won for us on the cross. That alone speaks volumes. This world is not our home. We have the hope of heaven.

2.Pray for wisdom and discernment. Lord God, help us maintain our identity in Christ. To remember: the Father’s love for us, Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and victory over the enemy, and the Holy Spirit’s power within. Give us wisdom and discernment to navigate the uncharted territories we face each day. Fill us with love, humility, and gratitude to shine like Christ in a sin-darkened world, so others are drawn to the Savior.  

3.Worship as a weapon. Remember the worship led by King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When the Israelites were surrounded by enemy forces, Jehoshaphat prayed to the LORD, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” A prophet told Jehoshaphat the LORD would fight for them. The next day, Jehoshaphat sent forth the army with singing and worship. “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the enemies so that they were routed (2 Chronicles 20:1-22 ESV).

The people sang and praised the LORD. Then HE defeated the enemy.

When we face battles in this life, let us lift our voices to sing! As we worship, we are reminded that God is the Sovereign King and LORD of all. The nations may swirl in chaos and war, but God is still seated on His throne. Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Finally, our story is enwrapped in HIS-story. What a privilege! What a blessing! May we walk through this world with one eye on eternity and carry the light of Christ until the final page of our lives. Then we will be in the world, but not of it.

Do you have additional ideas for how to be in the world but not of it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Other posts you may enjoy:

Why Christians Need to Endure

The Unseen Hand of God

Standing on the Rock in the Storm

How can we be in the world, but not of it?

24 thoughts on “How Can We Be In the World But Not of It?”

  1. Lord, you are our blessed hope. We put our trust in you as we know your steadfast love endures forever. Keep us in your hands and protect us from the evil one.

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  2. Thank you for these three timely ways to live in this chaotic world today, Melissa. Great suggestions! We should be following them daily.
    I once wrote a song about King Jehoshaphat and this battle. I still play it once in a while.
    “Hang on! Stand still! You do not need to fight! The victory’s won! Stand still! The Lord will be your might!”
    And when they started PRAISING God, He won the battle for them.

    I loved that Bible story. I need to find my song and review the lyrics again today. I wrote it many years ago when I was going through a difficult illness.

    May God guide us daily as we read His Word, pray for discernment, and lean on Him.

    This world needs a Savior!
    I wonder if I’ve done my best to tell the lost about a loving God who cares so much that He suffered and died on a cross at Calvary and rose again to conquer death and give us life eternal.
    Do they know?

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    • Mary Anne, your words brought tears to my eyes. O Lord, please help us share the good news to this desperate world. There is a God who loves them so much, He sent a Savior who died for them. There is no other news like this.
      I also love the Bible story of Jehoshaphat. There are many elements each deserving a full sermon. Jehoshaphat demonstrated much wisdom and trust in the Lord. May God help me grow to be more like him. I would LOVE to hear your song someday! What a blessing the Lord led you to that Scripture during a difficult time and put a song in your heart. As the world grows darker, may the light of Christ shine more brightly in and through us! Keep singing for Him! Keep shining for Him!

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  3. Hello Melissa, Amen and Ameb!🙏🏼📖💖 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. This is the other side of protection Jesus requests. Not only are the disciples to be protected from Satan, but they are also to be sanctified-that is, to be set apart for a specific purpose. It is the idea of being a holy vessel in the hands of the Master. And so are we in this world. John 17:17. Amen! 🙏🏼🔥❤️✝️💯 God’s awesome blessings to you Melissa my dear sister! 🤲🏾📖🙌🏾💕

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    • Amen, Wendy! Yes, I thought about that verse, as well. It is an excellent conclusion to this passage. THANK YOU for sharing that verse and comment! Believers are protected FROM Satan and set apart FOR God’s glory and holiness. Love this. Powerfully spoken, sister. Sanctified, set apart, by His truth, for His glory. Blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace. God’s abundant blessing to you, dear Wendy!

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  4. May we walk through this world with one eye on eternity and carry the light of Christ until the final page of our lives. <Yes and Amen!

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  5. Jesus is our strength and the Holy Spirit is with us to guide us how to help us living for Jesus everyday and show others the way to receive Jesus as well. Thank You Jesus for making this possible.

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  6. Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden”. To be in the world but not of it in this sense is to be conspicuously unworldly. Blending in is “being of it” or at least being like it. The status quo is apostate. Yes the world will call us fanatics because their recourse is to protect their own ideals; effectively hiding our light under a basket. It is fear that causes Christians to loose their saltiness, their flavor. “Fear not!” The most given command in the Holy Bible.

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    • Chuck, this is an excellent explanation and Scripture connection. Thank you for sharing your insights. May we not be fearful to live fully for Christ. In the end, that is all that will count. God bless you!

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  7. This is such a good and needed message, Melissa. I like your analogy to a narrative, really drives home the point. And love, love, love worship as a weapon! Yes! All your points together are the antidote to keep ourselves in the world but not of the world. With Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, it’s possible.

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    • Thank you for sharing your great faith and reflections, Karen. Truly, the indwelling Holy Spirit is the only way to remain strong in Christ. Worshiping the Lord lifts us above the chaos to see our Savior’s light that cannot be extinguished by any schemes of man or the devil. God bless you! May His light shine brilliantly through you!

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  8. I loved your 3 ways for us to stay faithful in these challenging times. We must keep our focus on God instead of the world around us. Thank you Melissa

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