What does "In the World, But Not of it." Mean?

6‑minute read · June 11, 2026 · Field Devotion

One of the greatest challenges Christians face is learning how to live faithfully in a culture that often pulls us away from God.

Where do you feel the most pressure to fit in? What are the things our culture treasures that can quietly pull a person away from God? And which is more dangerous - to compromise openly, or to drift slowly? Most of us never decide to walk away from our faith. We just begin, almost imperceptibly, to love other things more.

The tension Jesus prayed over

Jesus never called His followers to retreat from the world. He never instructed us to hide from our neighbors, avoid meaningful relationships, or isolate ourselves from society. Instead, He calls us to engage the world while remaining distinct from it.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed these words for His disciples:

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."

- John 17:14-18

Notice the tension. Jesus says His followers are not of the world, yet He immediately says they are sent into the world. Christians are called to live in both realities at the same time. We are citizens of heaven who live on earth. We are called to love our neighbors, serve our communities, work hard, build relationships, and engage culture - yet we are never meant to adopt the world's values as our own.

What does the Bible mean by "the world"?

When Scripture warns us about "the world," it is not talking about people. God loves people. Rather, it refers to a system of beliefs, priorities, and values that operates apart from God.

The world says: follow your heart, define your own truth, pursue comfort above all else, find your identity in success or pleasure, live for the temporary. The Gospel says: follow Christ, submit to God's truth, pursue holiness, find your identity in Jesus, live for eternity.

The conflict is not primarily external. It is internal. Every day our hearts are being pulled in one direction or the other. That is why spiritual drift is often more dangerous than open rebellion. Most believers do not wake up one morning and decide to abandon their faith. Instead, they slowly begin loving other things more than God.

What you love shapes your life

The Apostle John writes:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world."

- 1 John 2:15

Voddie Baucham often points out that love itself is not always virtuous. Love becomes sinful when the object of our affection replaces God. (You can watch his full sermon here.) The issue is not merely behavior. The issue is worship. The human heart was created to treasure something. If that treasure is not God, something else will eventually take His place.

For some people it is success. For others it is money. For others it is comfort, relationships, politics, reputation, entertainment, or personal achievement. Whatever captures your heart ultimately shapes your life. Your life always moves toward what you treasure most. This is also why James can write so bluntly that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4) - it is a matter of where our affection finally rests.

Setting your mind on eternity

Because the battle is a battle of affection, the solution is not merely trying harder. The solution is fixing our hearts on something greater.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

- Colossians 3:2

Augustine famously said, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." The world constantly competes for our attention. Every notification. Every headline. Every advertisement. Every social media feed. Each one is attempting to shape our desires. That is why believers must intentionally redirect their hearts toward God - the same renewing of the mind Paul calls for in Romans 12:2.

Prayer reminds us who is in control. Scripture reminds us what is true. Worship reminds us what is worthy. Christian fellowship reminds us we are not alone. The more our minds are fixed on eternity, the less power the world has over us.

A practical challenge

This week, begin each day by setting your mind on eternity before setting your mind on the world.

Before social media. Before the news. Before email. Before work. Before entertainment. Spend 10-15 intentional minutes with God. Read Scripture. Pray. Reflect. Ask God to align your heart with His priorities. You may be surprised how much it changes the rest of your day.

The Gospel

The truth is that none of us perfectly resist the pull of the world. We all drift. We all compromise. We all allow lesser things to capture our hearts. But Jesus never did. He lived fully in the world while remaining completely faithful to His Father. Where we fail, He succeeded. Where we wander, He remains steadfast.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only forgives our failures - He gives us a new heart and a new affection for God. Christianity is not primarily about trying harder. It is about loving Jesus more. And as our love for Christ grows, the grip of the world begins to loosen.

Main takeaway: if your heart is fixed on eternity, the world slowly loses its grip on you.

Your servant for Christ's sake,
Pastor James Drake

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