As believers, our faith in God’s Word provides us with a unique perspective on our existence in this world. The Bible teaches us that we are not of this world, and this truth has profound implications for our lives.
First and foremost, recognizing that we are not of this world reminds us of our heavenly citizenship. Our ultimate home is with God in eternity, and this earthly life is but a temporary sojourn. This perspective helps us navigate the challenges and trials of this world with a sense of hope and purpose.
Furthermore, understanding that we are not of this world encourages us to live differently. We are called to be a light in the darkness, to demonstrate God’s love and righteousness to those around us. Our actions, attitudes, and choices should reflect our heavenly citizenship, showing that we are set apart for a higher purpose.
This truth also reminds us to prioritize spiritual values over material ones. While we engage in the affairs of this world, we should not become entangled in its pursuits to the detriment of our faith. Instead, we are called to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs.
In challenging times, remembering that we are not of this world can bring comfort. We know that our hope is not rooted in the temporal circumstances of this world but in the unchanging character of God. This knowledge gives us peace and resilience.
John 17:14
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world”
John 15:19
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you”
Philippians 3:20
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ”
1 John 2:15
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him”
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”
Colossians 3:2
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”
James 4:4
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”
1 Peter 2:11
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”
1 John 5:19
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness”
Hebrews 11:13
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth”
John 17:16
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world”
1 Corinthians 2:12
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God”
Ephesians 2:19
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”
2 Corinthians 4:18
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”
1 John 2:17
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”
Colossians 3:1
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”
Hebrews 13:14
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come”
1 Peter 1:17
“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear”
1 Corinthians 3:19
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness”
Galatians 6:14
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”
1 John 4:5
“They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them”
Titus 2:12
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”
Romans 8:6-7
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”
Galatians 5:24
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts”
1 Peter 4:2
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God”
John 8:23
“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world”
1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”
Revelation 18:4
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”
Matthew 6:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
Hebrews 11:16
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city”
James 1:27
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”
Luke 12:33
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth”
Ephesians 5:11
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”
Romans 13:12
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light”
1 Thessalonians 5:5
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness”
2 Timothy 4:10
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia”
1 John 3:1
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God”
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”
Matthew 5:14-16
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
Acts 5:29
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men”
James 1:8
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”
Philippians 2:15
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”
John 12:31
“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out”
2 Peter 1:4
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”
Colossians 1:13
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
