1. CHRISTIANS DO NOT BELONG TO THIS WORLD (SOCIETY):

Jn.15:19 – Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world

A. We are citizens of Heaven:

Heb.11:14 – They…declare plainly that they seek a country
Heb.11:15,16 – Now they desire a better country…an Heavenly
Heb.13:14 – Here have we no continuing city…we seek one to come
Jn.14:2,3 – I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there ye may be also
(See also Jn.18:36)

B. We’re sojourners in this world, pilgrims passing through:

Heb.11:13 – Confessed they were strangers & pilgrims on the earth
Psa.39:12b – I am a stranger with Thee, & a sojourner
Psa.119:19a – I am a stranger in the earth

C. Earthly lands & homes are only temporary:

Lev.25:23b – The land is Mine (God’s); for ye are strangers & sojourners with Me

D. Our life on earth is brief, so we do not settle here:

1Chr.29:15 – We are strangers before Thee, & sojourners…our days on the earth are as a shadow
1Pet.1:17 – Pass time of your sojourning here in fear (of God)
(See also Psa.39:4,5)

E. Guard against thinking this world is your permanent home:

Psa.49:11,12 – Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, & their dwelling places

2. THOUGH IN THIS WORLD, WE ARE NOT TO BE PART OF IT:

A. Christians are not part of this present worldly society:

Jn.17:14-16 – They are not of the world, even as I (Jesus) am not
Rom.12:2a – Be not conformed to this world
Eph.2:2,3 – In time past ye walked according to the course of this world
Gal.6:14 – The cross of…Christ, by whom the world is crucified (dead) unto me, & I unto the world
Phi.2:15 – The sons of God…in the midst of a crooked & perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world
1Jn.4:4-6 – They are of the world…we are of God
1Jn.5:19 – We are of God, & the whole world lieth in wickedness (malignant evil)
(See also 1Pet.2:9)

B. We are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers:

2Cor.6:14 – Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
2Cor.6:15 – What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

C. We are not to have close friendship with the Christ-rejecting worldly:

Pro.1:15 – My son, walk not thou…with them; refrain thy foot
Pro.24:1 – Be not envious against (of) evil men, neither desire to be with them
1Cor.10:20,21 – I would not that ye should fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, &…of devils
Eph.5:11 – Have no fellowship with the…works of darkness
(See also Pro.4:14-17; 13:20.)

D. We are to be separate from the worldly:

Isa.52:11 – Go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of [them]; be ye clean
2Cor.6:17 – Come out from among them, & be separate…touch not
Rev.18:4 – Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers

E. Do not become entirely separate; we must witness:

Jn.17:15 – Not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but… keep them from the evil
Jn.17:18 – As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world [to witness]
Mk.16:15 – Go ye into all the world, & preach the gospel

F. Marriage with the unbelieving & worldly is discouraged:

Deut.7:3,4 – Neither shalt thou make marriages with them…for they will turn away thy son from following Me
Josh.23:12,13 – If ye do in any wise…make marriages with them…they shall be snares & traps unto you
1Ki.11:1-8 – King Solomon loved many strange women…his wives turned away his heart after other gods
Neh.13:26,27 – Solomon…was beloved of his God…nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin
1Cor.7:39 – She is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only [let her marry] in the Lord
1Cor.7:12-16 – [If already married to an unbeliever, have faith, you may yet win them by your Christian example]
(See also Gen.26:34,35; 27:46; Judg.14:1-3; Ezra 9:1,2; Mal.2:11,12.)

3. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD WORLDLY VALUES:

A. Caution not to love this present world:

Jam.4:4 – The friendship of the world is enmity with God
1Jn.2:15,16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in world

B. The pilgrim’s attitude:

1Pet.2:11 – As strangers & pilgrims, abstain from fleshly [worldly] lusts, which war against the soul
Tit.2:12,13 – Denying ungodliness & worldly lusts…live soberly…in this present world; looking for that blessed hope
Heb.11:24-27 – Moses…choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God…forsook Egypt
Jam.1:27 – Pure religion…to keep unspotted from the world
1Pet.1:17 – (God) judgeth…every man’s work, [so] pass the time of your sojourning here in fear
2Pet.3:11,14 – Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be
1Jn.2:16,17 – The lust of the flesh, & the lust of the eyes…is of the world. And the world passeth away

C. We should resist being influenced by trends, fads & media:

Exo.23:2a – Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil
Psa.1:1 – Blessed is man that walketh not in counsel of ungodly
Pro.1:10 – My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not
Rom.12:2a – Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
1Cor.7:31b – The fashion of this world passeth away
Col.2:8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through…vain deceit (See 1Pet.3:2-4 – re: fashions.)

D. Warning against indiscriminate worldly entertainment:

Psa.101:3 – I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes
Psa.119:37 – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity
Isa.33:15 – He that walketh righteously…shutteth his eyes from seeing evil
2Ki.17:15b – They followed vanity, & became vain, & went after the heathen that were round about them

E. The detrimental effect of this wicked world on believers:

2Pet.2:7,8 – Lot…in seeing & hearing [filthy Sodomites], vexed (tormented) his righteous soul…with their unlawful deeds
2Pet.3:17 – Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness

F. Peer pressure & influence:

1Ki.12:3-16 – [King Rehoboam foolishly followed the counsel of] the young men that were grown up with him

G. Don’t compromise or tolerate worldly ways:

Exo.23:32 – Make no covenant with them, nor with their gods
Exo.23:33 – They shall not dwell in thy land…for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee
1Tim.5:22 – Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep…pure

H. Avoid wanton worldly parties & activities:

Rom.13:13,14 – Not in rioting & drunkenness, not in chambering (licentiousness)…fulfil [not] lusts
1Pet.4:3,4 – [We are not to indulge in drunken parties & revellings]
(See also Eph.2:2,3; Tit.2:12.)

I. But don’t go to the opposite extreme:

Mat.9:9-13 – [The self-righteous demanded:] Why eateth your Master with publicans & sinners?
1Cor.10:27 – [We can accept invitations to banquets & feasts]

4. IF POSSIBLE, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH OTHERS IN ORDER TO WIN THEM TO THE LORD:

A. Peaceable relations with others are preferable:

Rom.12:18 – As much as lieth in (depends upon) you, live peaceably with all men
Pro.16:7 – Lord…maketh even his enemies to be at peace w/ him
Jer.29:7 – Seek the peace of the city…& pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace
Mat.5:25 – Agree with thine adversary quickly…lest at any time
Col.4:5 – Walk in wisdom toward them that are without
1Tim.2:1,2 – [Pray] that we may lead a quiet & peaceable life

B. Try to relate to their way of thinking, in order to win them:

1Cor.9:19-22 – Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews. I am made all things to all men
1Cor.10:32 – Give none offence, neither to Jews, nor to Gentiles
1Cor.10:33 – I please all men…that they may be saved

C. Identify with them by giving your secular background & credentials:

Acts 22:3 – I am a man…brought up in this city…taught according to the law of the fathers…as ye all are
Acts 21:39 – I am…of Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city
(See also Acts 16:36-38; 22:25-28.)

5. CAUTION AGAINST COMPROMISING WITH THE WORLD:

Gal.1:10 – Do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ

A. Caution against pleasing to the point of compromising:

Lk.6:26 – Woe unto you, when all men speak well of you
2Ki.5:17,18 – In this thing the Lord pardon Thy servant, that…I bow myself in the house of Rimmon (a heathen god)

B. We should stand up for, & not be ashamed of, our faith:

Mk.8:38 – Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me & of My Words in this…sinful generation; of him shall (I) be ashamed
Rom.1:16 – I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
2Tim.1:8a – Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord
1Pet.4:16 – If any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed

C. We are not of this world, & it hates us for that:

Lk.6:22 – Men…shall separate you from their company, & reproach
Jn.15:18,19 – Because ye are not of the world…world hateth you
1Pet.4:4 – They think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF AN HONEST, SINCERE EXAMPLE:

A. Be a good example:

Mat.5:16 – Let your light so shine…that they may see your good works, & glorify your Father in Heaven
Rom.13:3b – Do…good, & thou shalt have praise of the [rulers]
1Thes.5:22 – Abstain from all appearance of evil
1Tim.4:12 – Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity (love)
1Pet.2:13,14 – Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…for the praise of them
1Pet.2:15 – With well doing…put to silence ignorance of foolish
Lk.6:27 – Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you

B. We are commanded to be honest in our dealings:

Rom.12:17b – Provide things honest in the sight of all men
2Cor.8:21 – Providing for honest things…in the sight of men
1Thes.4:12a – Walk honestly toward them that are without
Tit.2:10a – Not purloining (stealing, pilfering), but showing all good fidelity
1Pet.2:12 – Having your (way of life) honest among the Gentiles
(See also Rom.13:13a; Heb.13:18.)

C. Do not bring reproach upon the cause of Christ:

Rom.14:16 – Let not then your good be evil spoken of
2Cor.6:3 – Giving none offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed
1Tim.5:14b – Give none occasion to adversary to speak reproachfully
(See also Rom.2:23,24; 1Tim.6:1; Tit.2:5.)

D. Be blameless & innocent:

Mat.10:16 – Sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, & harmless (innocent) as doves
Phi.2:15 – Blameless & harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke
Tit.1:6 – Blameless…having children not accused of riot

E. Don’t let your liberties become a “stumbling block” to others:

Rom.14:13-21 – No man put a stumblingblock…in his brother’s way [that we may be]…approved of men
1Cor.6:12 – All things are lawful…but all things not expedient
1Cor.8:8-13 – Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak
1Pet.2:16 – Not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness

7. SECULAR WORK & EMPLOYMENT:

A. Christians are instructed to do honest work:

Eph.4:28 – Let him labour, working with his hands the thing (profession) which is good
1Thes.4:11,12 – Work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may have lack of nothing
2Thes.3:10-12 – If any would not work, neither should he eat
Tit.3:14 – Let ours learn to maintain good works (profess honest trades) for necessary uses

B. We must keep our priorities straight:

Acts 20:35 – Labouring ye ought to support weak…blessed to give
Eph.4:28 – Let him labour, working…that he may have to give
1Cor.7:31 – They that use this world, as not abusing it

C. Don’t labour to be rich, but merely for your needs:

Lk.12:15 – Beware of covetousness…a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth
1Tim.6:8 – Having food & raiment let us therewith be content

D. Consider the fate of those who covet riches:

Psa.49:16-20 – [The fate of those who seek riches in this world]
Mk.10:24,25 – How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
1Tim.6:9,10 – They that will (desire to) be rich fall into…snare…erred from the faith…pierced with sorrows
Jam.1:10,11 – The rich…is made low…withereth…perisheth
(See also Jam.5:1-4)

E. Warning regarding wrong attitudes:

Job 31:24,25, If I have…said to gold, Thou art my confidence…I should
28 have denied God that is above
Hag.1:6b,9 – It came to little…because ye run every man unto his own house [& neglected God's work]
Lk.12:19-21 – Soul, thou hast much goods laid up…take thine ease
1Tim.6:10 – The love of money is the root of all evil
Rev.3:15-18 – Thou sayest, “I am rich, & increased with goods, & have need of nothing.” Thou art wretched, poor, naked

8. THE WORK OF PASTORS, FULL-TIME CHRISTIAN WORKERS & MISSIONARIES:

A. The compensation of pastors & teachers:

1Tim.5:17,18 – They who labour in the Word & doctrine…the labourer is worthy of his reward (wages)
1Cor.9:6-9 – Who feedeth a flock, & eateth not of the milk of flock?
1Cor.9:13 – They which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple

B. The work of missionaries is preaching the gospel; they are reapers in God’s harvest & are worthy of wages:

Jn.4:35 – Look on the [mission] fields; for they are white already to harvest
Mat.9:37,38 – The harvest [of souls] is plenteous, but the labourers are few…send labourers into His harvest
Jn.4:36 – He that reapeth receiveth wages, & gathereth fruit unto life eternal
1Cor.9:13,14 – The Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel
1Cor.9:10 – He that ploweth…& thresheth..should be par taker

C. Christians with secular jobs helping support the Lord’s workers:

Rom.15:27 – If [they] have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is to minister… carnal things
1Cor.9:11 – If we have sown unto you spiritual things…we shall reap your carnal things
Gal.6:6 – Let him that is taught in the Word communicate (give materially) unto him that teacheth
Lk.8:3 – Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward…ministered unto Him (Jesus) of their substance
Lk.10:7 – Eating such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire (wages) (See also Mat.10:10b)
(See 1Thes.2:9; 2Cor.11:8.)

D. God’s workers sometimes hold secular jobs also:

Acts 18:1-3 – He (Paul) was of the same craft, he…wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers
(See also Acts 20:34,35; 1Cor.4:11,12.)

E. But when possible, they should avoid time-consuming secular jobs & devote their full time to their main work:

Jn.6:27 – Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life
1Cor.7:23 – Ye are bought…be not ye the servants of men
1Cor.9:6,7 – Have not we power to forbear working [at secular employment]?
2Tim.2:4 – No man that warreth entangleth himself with affairs of this life; that he may please Him (Jesus)

9. A CHRISTIAN’S RELATIONSHIP TO WORLDLY GOVERNMENTS:

A. Try to be good citizens & obey the government:

Rom.13:1 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. The powers (authorities) that be are ordained of God
Tit.3:1 – Put them in mind to be subject…to obey magistrates
1Pet.2:17 – Honour all men. Fear God. Honour the king

B. Most governments & laws are for our good & protection:

Acts 21:30-35 – [Roman soldiers rescued Paul from a hostile mob]
Acts 23:10 – [Romans prevented Jews from pulling Paul in pieces]
Acts 25:15,16 – It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man

C. Pray for the government & officials:

Eccl.10:20 – Curse not the king, no not in thy thought
1Tim.2:1 – I exhort that…prayers…be made for kings, & for all that are in authority

D. Perform required national & community duties:

Mat.22:21 – Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s
Rom.13:7 – Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute

E. However, we must obey God above all:

Acts 4:19,20 – [We are not bound to obey secular laws which cause us to disobey God, or which forbid witnessing]
Acts 5:29 – We ought to obey God rather than men

10. THE GOVERNMENTS OF MAN:

A. God rules the governments of men:

Pro.8:15,16 – By Me kings reign, &…princes rule…even all the judges of the earth
Dan.4:32,35 – The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, & giveth it to whomsoever He will
Jn.19:10,11 – Thou (Pilate) couldst have no power at all against Me except it were given thee from above

B. God has allowed the devil a certain amount of control:

Lk.4:5,6 – All the kingdoms of the world [are] delivered unto me (Satan); & to whomsoever I will I give it
2Cor.4:4 – [Satan is called] the god of this world

11. CHRISTIANS & SECULAR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS:

A. Much modern secular education is godless or anti-God:

Job 21:14 – They say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways
Jer.4:22 – They have none understanding: they are wise to do evil
Rom.1:28 – They did not like to retain God in their knowledge
2Cor.11:3 – I fear, lest…as the serpent beguiled Eve…so your minds…be corrupted from…Christ
Col.2:6-8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy… after tradition of men, not [according to] Christ

B. The wisdom of this world:

Jer.8:9 – They have rejected the Word of the Lord; & what wisdom is in them?
Zech.7:11,12 – They stopped their ears, that they should not hear…lest they hear the Words which the Lord sent
Rom.1:21,22 – Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools
1Cor.3:19 – The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God
2Tim.3:7 – Ever learning, & never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
(See also 1Cor.1:17-29; 2:1-16; 3:18-20.)

C. Most worldly knowledge is not profitable:

1Cor.8:1,2 – Knowledge puffeth up, but (love) edifieth
2Tim.4:3 – Heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears

D. Jesus & His disciples were not highly educated:

Lk.1:80 – The child (John) grew…& was in the deserts
Jn.7:15 – How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Acts 4:13 – When they…perceived that they were unlearned & ignorant men, they marvelled
1Cor.1:26,27 – Not many wise men after the flesh…are called
(See also Psa.8:2; Lk.10:21.)

28. The Christian’s Relationship To Worldly Society, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International