Introduction:
Get out of the world now while you still can! Some of us have one foot in the church and the other firmly planted in the “world”. This is no time for worldly living. Are you paying close attention to the signs of the times and what is happening in the world from a biblical perspective? If you are entangled in “worldly” living or feeling the pull of the world’s temptations, but you are longing for something more act on those promptings, do not delay. You are being warned.
Many Preppers have been urging and warning people to leave the cities, move to off-grid areas, and stock up on food, water, and medical supplies. This is not that call. Many prophets and prophetesses have shared dreams, messages, promptings, and words about destruction, devastation, and widespread deaths from natural disasters and diseases. This is not even that call.
We live in a world overflowing with distractions, temptations, and sin. As Christians, it’s easy to feel lost, overwhelmed, and even unsure of how to live life when everything around us seems to contradict God’s Word. The Bible calls us to be, “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:14–15). But what does that really mean? It’s a call to live a life set apart, a call to reject worldly influences and embrace holiness. Right now, more than ever, God is calling you to step completely out of the world and into His divine purpose. Will you answer His call today?
The Dangerous Influence of a Sinful World
Worldly living surrounds us in every aspect of life – social media glorifies immorality, entertainment promotes sin, and even in daily conversations, worldly values try to infiltrate our minds. Every day, we are bombarded with messages that contradict God’s teachings, subtly drawing us further away from our faith. From the materialism that consumes society to the immoral ideologies spread online, the decay of morality is evident. If we’re not careful, these harmful influences can erode our spiritual well-being, leaving us disconnected from God’s will.
This does not mean that we should not interact with others at all. It means we should be careful who we interact with, what we say, what we do, and what we get involved in. We should not spend our time pursuing meaningless activities that draw us away from serving God and that do not glorify Him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 -12 (NLT) the Apostle Paul in a letter to the church in Thessalonica stated, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”
The Call to Holiness: God’s Expectation for His People
God doesn’t just call us to avoid sin – He calls us to holiness. Holiness means being set apart and dedicated to God in every aspect of our lives. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving to live according to God’s will in a world that resists Him. In Romans 12:2, we’re urged: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is the transformation that holiness brings, a life aligned with God’s standards and free from the world’s influence.
How Can You Separate Yourself from the World?
Guard Your Mind and Heart
The world is constantly feeding us messages through TV shows, movies, music, and social media. Be intentional about what you allow into your mind. Filter out content that promotes sinful behaviors or ungodly thinking. Instead, focus on what is pure, lovely, and true (Philippians 4:8). Many things that would have seemed outrageous 60 years ago are now normal and commonplace. Then seeing a woman in a bathing suit in a TV ad would have been considered outrageous … look away! Now we see skimpy dressing almost everywhere, even in some churches. It has become the norm and anyone who frowns upon such things is considered old-fashioned, too holy righteous, or a “dinosaur”. Not to mention the types of lyrics in songs and the scenes in many movies nowadays! It even extends to activities that children engage in at school. Is it any wonder that we are experiencing the level of decay we see in our societies? When worldliness shows up decay happens. How can we operate in a way that pleases God?
Self-Censorship: Check Yourself
Choose carefully what you watch on television, social media, and at the movie theatre or other places of entertainment. Do not listen to music that glorifies wrongdoing and evil. There is plenty of wholesome gospel music available. Choose carefully and pay attention to the lyrics, not just the catchy beat. There are some supposedly gospel songs out there that have demonic lyrics. That should not be surprising at all. Remember Satan was a musician in heaven before he rebelled and was cast out by God. Make sure that the activities you engage in are God-proofed. Watch your mouth! If it is not edifying, if it is not wholesome, if it tears down rather than builds up, do not say it. What we say can destroy ourselves and others. Please be mindful of that. Words spoken can never be regained. So, check yourself especially when you’re with others – “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil”.
Invest in Your Relationship with God
Spend time in prayer, Bible study, and worship. The more time you devote to growing your relationship with God, the easier it becomes to hear His voice amidst the “noise of the world”. Prioritize your spiritual growth and make God the center of your life. Have early morning or late-night conversations with Him. The more you become familiar with the word of God the more you will be able to resist the devil and cause him to flee from you (James 4:7).
Surround Yourself with Accountability
Seek out a Christian community – friends, mentors, or a church group – that encourages your faith and spiritual growth on solid footing grounded in the word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Being accountable to others who share your desire for holiness will strengthen your resolve to live a life set apart for God. The word of God states that Christians are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, whom He has called to proclaim praises to Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Be Mindful of Your Time and Priorities
How you spend your time reveals your priorities. Limit activities that waste time and do not contribute to your spiritual growth. Instead, focus on things that glorify God – whether that’s spending quality time with family, serving others, or deepening your understanding of Scripture. You can even experience God and find peace in simple daily tasks such as caring for your children, your pets, and your plants, or when you are out shopping. Scripture verses will come to mind, and He will show you that He is ever present with you. His word says He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Stand Firm Against Worldly Temptations
Temptations are everywhere but remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you face trials or pressure to conform to the world’s standards, rely on God’s strength to help you resist. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. The word “wiles” refers to tricks and deceptions. The verse is a reminder that Christians should prepare for and endure Satan’s attacks until Christ returns. Jesus won the ultimate victory on the cross when he defeated death, hell, and the grave. Satan will be let out of his prison and will go out to deceive the nations – called Gog and Magog – in every corner of the earth (Revelation 20:7-8). Revelation 12:12, “Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” This is why we must guard against temptations because he is our adversary, and he aims to kill steal and destroy. He is always seeking someone who he can devour.
Conclusion: Answering the Call to Holiness
God has called us to be a light in the darkness, to stand apart from the world and reflect His holiness. The world will continue to push its sinful values, but as Christians, we must be vigilant, discerning, and steadfast. It’s not a joke, nor is it scare-mongering. Get out of the “world” while you can! The key to separating yourself unto God is daily, intentional living for Christ. Make the choice today to reject the world’s ways and fully embrace the life of holiness He has planned for you. His word tells us that the saints of God will judge angels. Imagine that! Will you answer the call to separate yourself from worldly living today?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with humble hearts, acknowledging the call You’ve placed on each of our lives to be holy and set apart. Lord, we thank You for Your Word that guides us and reminds us that we are in this world, but not of it. Help us, Father, to resist the temptations and distractions that seek to pull us away from Your path of righteousness.
Give us the strength and wisdom to live lives that honor You, and to separate ourselves from the influences of sin and worldliness. We ask that You purify our hearts, renew our minds, and align our actions with Your will. Surround us with godly relationships, accountability, and a desire to pursue Your holiness above all else.
As we walk this journey, Lord, let Your Holy Spirit be our guide. Keep us from evil, protect us from the schemes of the enemy, and lead us closer to You with every step we take. Thank You for Your unfailing love, grace, and mercy that sustain us each day.
We commit our lives to Your hands and pray that everything we do brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.