Can we be in the world and not of the world? How?

Answer 1

Look at me,
A lotus flowers in the water, lives in the water and dies in the water.
But water can not stay on it`s leaves.
Be like a Lotus leaf.
*Padmapatravimbhasa*

Answer 2

We can be on the world but not from the world

Answer 3

Being of the world means doing things that a lot of people are doing. For example drinking, smoking have premarital sex and so forth. You are part of this world because you live here. But you don't have to be of the world. So yes, you can be in the world and not of the world.

Answer 4

I think this has to do with attachment. Since our time here is limited, at least this go round, it doesn't make sense to become attached to all the world offers, people and things. We are spiritual beings having a physical experience. We can forget that and begin defining ourselves by who we think we are, who we are with, what we own. It is all just an illusion.
By the way, this is not what I was taught in Sunday school. This quote was focusing on "worldliness" as in all the "sins" we can get caught up in. I think it has a deeper, more spiritual, meaning.

Answer 5

We are of the world , by the world and for the world only.We came from nowhere and so we go nowhere too.it is only the water of the earth that comes down as rain after going up as vapour .It is recycling porcess .Never have we not been here ; never shall we cease to be here as long as the earth is alive and active till it is engulfed in the fires of he sun for a nuclear reaction for some millions of years .

Answer 6

we have to function socially and economically in this world but we do not have to engage in the sins of this world if we are bought by the blood. When you become a new creature old things are passed away, the Bible says, behold all things become new. we don't have to have a con artist mentality anymore. we don't have to indulge in the wickedness of this world. When you become a child of God through obedience of the Word, you put off the old flesh and you walk in newness of life. when you experience the death burial and resurrection. be born of the water and of the spirit. repentance signifies death, water baptism in Jesus Name signifies the burial, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost signifies the resurrection. The Holy Ghost will lead you and guide you into all truth and will give you understanding of the scriptures.

Answer 7

Short and to the point:

Be in the world, because we have to work, study and live in it.

Not of the world, in the way that we do not act like those who do not follow the morals based on the Bible.

Answer 8

Thanks. This is a worthy question, even if the asker is playing around. Whatever our background, if we want to make the world a better place and bring a new kind of world into being, we cannot continue with the same standards, thinking and behaviors that have made it what it is. When we find those changes we need and want to make in ourselves to influence change as powerfully as possible, we very likely will be confronted by friends, family, colleagues, communities, etc., who have a different agenda, who don't understand our objectives, rail against us, and try to make our life hell with teasing, threats, and all kinds of pressures. Sometimes the pressures come from inanimate objects that we desire or crave and which would be counter-productive to our agenda for change.

We have to be willing to cope with it as gracefully as possible and maintain our standards without capitulating to please or appease others, hopefully without completely alienating them. It's a tough balancing act and sometimes friendships and other relationships don't survive it. Sometimes we don't survive it. But that's how we live in the world and not be of the world.

Answer 9

This is a saying that is actually Sufi in origin.

It is often touted by professing 'chrisitians' to ease their conscience for just renaming the things of the world with a 'christian' flavor.

Yes, we are physically in this world, because we are spiritually reborn in Christ and are not really able to see what we shall be. That however, should never be used as and excuse to follow worldly practice.

Answer 10

We have to live in the world.. unless we are dead.. but we CAN resist the spirit of this world! If others vote..we don't. If others curse..we don't. If others dress provocatively, we don't. If others are immoral, we aren't. If others lie, cheat, steal, join the military, salute the flag, watch ****, agree with abortion or divorce for any reason... we DONT. Those are examples of how we can live IN the world without being OF the world. Good question today!

Answer 11

Yes, you simply have to not let yourself be affected mentally or emotionally by what transpires in this physical world--that is, to not get caught up in materiality and the appearance of evil and wrong doing, but that is EXTREMELY difficult for anyone but a bonafide saint or Dalai Lama to do.