Do the Biblical words "be in this world, but not of it" mean anything to you?

Question

I am not just asking this question of those who follow Christ. Among others, the Sufis have made this statement, as have several poets.One wrote: "the world is to much with us", another stated that we are "distracted from distracton by distraction." While I believe its important for us to get involved in bettering life, however we can do it, I wonder how we can avoid getting tangled up the world's materialism and insanity? After all, if we permit it, it is shoved in our faces on a daily basis! Your thoughts on the subject will be appreciated.

Answer 1

we have made this world totally materialistic ....remember the devil tricks us into believing we need this short little rush we get from these things to satisfy ourselves but after that we need more ...it is kind of like a drug and we are the addicts
temptation is the work of the devil and he uses it on everyone who lets him ....if there is some little sinful thing that you like ...he throws it in your face and tells you it is OK this time and that you don't have to worry about getting caught and in this day and age it is acceptable ...everyone is doing it ...it is ok-ed by the masses so is must be acceptable

that is what has HAPPENED TO US ALL....

Answer 2

2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

We hear of the necessity of setting ones goals. Goals should not go contrary or conflict with, being soldiers, orders of our King. Yahshua had some potent comments on the issue. Especially in John 17. However, we see where the temptation comes from:
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

All kinds of possibilities could manifest in a person. But is it really just giving into temptation and not entering the service of the King.

1Jo 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.1Jo 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of Yahweh abideth for ever.

I find the more observant of scripture I grow, the more it will cause a separation from the ways of the world. Thou I still live in this world. At the same time, a recluse lifestyle, while seemingly needed at times, is not the final answer, for then the light would not be able to shine as bright. It would be hidden. We would not then be the Salt of the earth, and therefore "good for nothing". Non-the-less, separation from the ways of the world leads further and further from activity with it.

Regarding PARTICULAR times in te overall picture of things, and tying it in with separation and not being of the world we could think on these:
Jam 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with Yahweh? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of Yahweh.
AND
Pro 22:3 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
AND
Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Isa 26:21 For, behold, Yahweh cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
JUST how separated does this suggest?

Answer 3

First off, the poet is Wordsworth, and that is one of my favorite poems (along with Coleridge's "Xanadu").

We have no choice but to be in this world (duh), so that line isn't really a command like it sounds. It is more of a diochotomy with the next line, "but not of it", and I think it is meant to remind us just how hard it will be to actually pull it off. "Bettering life," as you put it, is a big part of not being "of" this world, because if we would be "of" the world, we would be the changee and not the changer, if you know what I mean. I so wish we could have this as a conversation, and not a Q&A format, so then I could bounce my ideas off of you and vice versa, so we know where we're really coming from. This is a good one -- meet me at the corner bar for a pint and a discussion (lol).

Have a great night!

Answer 4

Be in the world, but not out of it means, be like the water in the lotus leaf.The water in the lotus leaf though it is on it will fall of easily without getting stuck to the leaf.

I n the same way one should be in the world but never get entangled with any kind of situations.Be attached but at the same time one should not be attached too much to anything or anybody.

If we get ourselves entangled it will be very difficult for us to free from it.

Answer 5

It is an identification of true Christians. Jesus showed we would by necessity of living and working in the world, but we should have no part of it. As ambassadors or resident aliens we live here but have no part in the political systems of the world. We render Caesar's things to Caesar such as taxes and obeying any laws not in conflict with God's higher laws. We do not owe our allegiance and support militarily or in government service or voting in support of one faction or another. We do not join in any of that.

As Christians, our loyalty is to God and His Kingdom. It alone is the solution to earth's problems. No human government can or in 6,000 years has solved any problem. It has caused many, but never solved any.

Answer 6

To me they are pretty much saying the same thing, but from their perspective. It has to do with reality and your perception of it. Physical reality is really an illusion. We are in a type of computer generated reality. My perception of that reality, just like the distraction perception. Only in my terms that make it easy for me to understand.

Answer 7

This words came out from Jesus. Be in this world-we live here in this world not for material things. We never choose to be in this world but God did. We can live like everybody else and love the world can offer to us to edge God out in our life. Since I decided to follow Christ, The things that I can see and touch is all temporary and they are not my choice to live with [to be a materialism] but the invisible things is eternal that the one I choose to live with. Happiness is the promise of this world but Joy is the promise of eternal. Happiness is happening around us and joy is coming from God that He put in our heart. The word is to be content what we have, and what we are be thankful for everything instead of complaining.

Answer 8

I think you are totally right. In tryiny to better ourselves/world. We must ask the questio, "WWJD?" then act accordingly. That is the only way we can be in the world and not of the world that I know of.

Answer 9

Good thinking & seeking...always nice to see!!!

These provide clues of sorts to Who We Are...spirit beings having a human experience (not the other way around). You see, we give up our knowings of Home for our adventures abroad (lifetimes).

Yes, it's hard not to attach oneself to the people & things of where we are...you can't take them with you, but that doesn't seem to stop the majority from trying to accumulate AMAP, even if only to "pass them on". However, we do "reap what we sow"...we take the wisdoms of our experiences...or not, depending on the choices we make in our matters.

Does that ring your soul chimes a bit???

Answer 10

That is a very deep question.
Unfortunately I don't have a very deep answer, all I can say is make the most of everything life has given you, you're a long time dead