What does it mean for Christians to be in the world but not of the world?

from the old testament

• Isaiah 43:10 tells us that we are to be witnesses to the world. That means that as we live in the world, we do not live like the world; we live for the things of God.

from the new testament

• John 17:14-16 says that believers are to be "in the world but not of it," just as Jesus is not of the world.
• In John 17:15 Jesus prayed regarding His disciples, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." His disciples needed to stay in the world, not be removed to heaven. Being in the world implies more than simply inhabiting it. We need to actually be involved in our societies, pointing nonbelievers to fulfillment through Christ.
• Jesus told His disciples to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Believers were not to set themselves apart from the world and expect others to come to them to hear truth. Instead, they were told to "go" out into the world.
• Acts 1:8 tells us that we are to be witnesses to the world. We are to live differently than the world, giving testament to who God is.
• Matthew 5:16 tells us that our light is to shine before others to point them to God. Allowing our light to shine requires us to be around people.
• The Bible refers to “the world” as the fallen system of values, desires, and priorities that are opposed to God and dominated by sin (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2; James 4:4). To be "not of the world" requires us to be free of worldly influence (John 17:14-16). This does not mean that we do not participate in government or typical social processes (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21). It means that we do not act as the unsaved world does (Ephesians 4:17-24; Philippians 2:15).
• Believers are no longer slaves to our sinful natures but act in accordance with righteousness (Romans 6:6, 11).
• Romans 12:2 tells us that true transformation begins when we resist the pull of worldly thinking and let God reshape our minds to reflect His will.
• We are told to put to death things that are of our sinful natures and to flee from immorality (Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 5:3-11).
• We "train [ourselves] for godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7); we are "imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1); we have nothing to do with "unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).
• We submit to authorities and prepare ourselves for good works (Titus 3:1).
• We act according to the new nature we have been given rather than the sinful nature of the world (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Titus 3:3-8).
• "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20), spreading His fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) through the world.
• Loving the world’s temporary pleasures distracts us from the eternal love and purpose found in the Father (1 John 2:15-17).
• Philippians 3:20 tells us that we are citizens of heaven, and as citizens of heaven, we live on earth with our eyes fixed on our true home and our coming King.
• James 4:4 warns us that pursuing friendship with the world puts us at odds with God, revealing where our deepest affections truly lie.
• First Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." We live in a world of darkness, but we are not part of that darkness.
• We are not of the world because we are in Christ; we have the light. And while we are still in the world, we are called to be set apart, to shine the light that others might know Him and be saved (Matthew 5:13-16).

implications for today

Certain Christian sects (such as the Amish) believe in a "Christ apart from culture" model of evangelism; however, such separation is not the biblical norm. Instead, we are called to live in the world but not live like the world. To be in the world but not of it means we live in the same neighborhoods, work in the same jobs, and shop in the same stores as everyone else—but we do so with radically different values. Our lives should reflect a loyalty to God's kingdom, purposes, and values rather than to the world’s fleeting pleasures and corrupted priorities. We’re to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16), influencing rather than blending in, and offering hope by how we love, work, and respond to brokenness around us. Rather than isolating ourselves, we live in the world intentionally, representing Christ while resisting conformity to its sinful patterns (Romans 12:2).

When you scroll through social media, attend a workplace gathering, or hear political commentary, are you absorbing the mindset of the world or filtering it through God's Word? Maybe it's the pressure to always be right, get ahead at any cost, or to define success by wealth and fame. Being not of the world means we’re willing to walk away from gossip, dishonest gain, or immoral entertainment, even when it makes us stand out. Living for God in a dark world can feel lonely or awkward, but it's also a powerful testimony to those around us (Philippians 2:15). When we remember our identity as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), we start to live here with eternity in mind. This could also look like choosing integrity when it might cost you a promotion, being kind to people that others avoid, refusing to laugh at crude jokes or compromise on sexual purity, giving generously when others hoard, and showing patience in traffic, on social media, or during a heated discussion. All of these are ways we reflect the light of Christ. We don’t need to run from the world—we step into it with a new heart, led by the Spirit, proclaiming with our lives that Jesus is worth everything.