In the world, not of the world

[spearmint]

Hi there Saints....

I attended a Women's Bible study in our church last week. Before we ended our session our leader made a comment that Satan controls the world. I was in total shock when she said this so I told her it's not Satan who controls the world but God. She said it was in the Bible that God gave Satan a power to control the world and that Satan is the prince of the world that's why everything that's happening around us is being controlled by Satan. I totally disagree with this. Although I've been a Christian for so many years now, I haven't really studied the Bible thoroughly that's why I felt so helpless that I can't even express what I really believe in. I was completely surprised that some of the women present agreed of what our leader had to say.

I apologize for posting this topic here for I tried several times to make a new topic but it won't let me start a new one. I also think 'In the world but not of the world' could be what our leader was trying to say in her topic Satan controls the world...

I'd appreciate your wisdom and enlightenment....

May you all be blessed!

[Artemus Prime]

I've posted on this topic countless times, and on a few different threads now...the call is not to live out our faith in one extreme or the other, but to seek to transform this world with absolute truth, just as Christ did while he walked this Earth.

[oybos]

yea, we are in the world but not of the world, beautiful. this is ridiculous right! how can i be in the world and not of the world?

Very simple.

whatsoever things are worthy, pure, righteous, of good virtue, of good report, clean, think on these things.

the bible tells me resist the devil and he will flee from you --- this means the devil will come but u can overcome in Christ. the things of this world is very attractive and deceiving, dont forget the devil comes to steal ,kill and destroy but Christ has come to give us life abundantly. lets live like joseph in the bible. He was faithful till the end. he lived in a world of deceit but he endured till the end. remember in the days of noah, less than 10 people were saved in the world. they lived in the world but not of the world.Dont forget sodom and gomorah. Lot s wife looked back because she was of the world, she was greedy. dint want to let go, and we all know waht happened to her.

To be in the world means when you do what is evil. example as a child of God we are expected to listen to godly music,show love. but you are not having these characteristics. to be in the world means to behave like the children of the devil. this world is only temporary but our permanent home is Gods kingdom , this means we are here for a purpose and we must achieve that purpose. this means you can be livin in this world and be carried away with the affairs and activities that goes on here. the bible tells me in revelation woe unto the inhabitants of the earth for the devil has come down but for a short time. why are we killin ourselves, fornicating, stealing, going to ungodly places, watching pornography movies , reading demonic magazines, listening to ungodly music, keeping malice, false witnessing, envy, and many others, Galatians 5 to the end. why dont we strive to get to heaven .

we can be in this world and not be a partaker .

HOW?

read your bible regularly.( meditate on the word of God).

keep godly company.

pray always.

listen to music that will honour Jesus.

fellowship with other brethen always.

dont go where you Know you wont be free to talk about Jesus. as a child of God we shouldnt be seen in clubs/ night parties/ pool centres. where devil is the head .

read christian books that will edify your soul in Christ.

i personally have been able to overcome so many things i used to do. i had to keep away from some friends-- from that i was able to keep godly friendship and talk about how we can bring others to His kingdom. i seldom go out except to work /church/ crusade/ fellowship/ visitation .all these have helped me in so many ways. am free from the shackles of these world.

Dont forget the flesh is weak but the spirit of God will overcome, when you surrender all to Him.

To live in this world of corruption is best to be in Christ. He s our strength and grace and will guide us till the end.

Remember one day, everyone will give account of how he/she lived here on earth. when one dies you go with nothing, so why wanna get everything and at the end wont be useful to us. how will your report sheet look like, we all will be judged according to the works of our hands. beware the world is deceitful. be not deceived. Be heaven bound. stay blessed.

[None]

When I think of this issue it reminds me of Ecclesiastes and the moral of the whole book.

When all that matters is yourself, you end up living a very unhappy life.

Set your sights on God first, others second and yourself last

and it's a win win situation in the end and throughout your whole time on earth.

[roselady]

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

How does it affect the way we live - or how should it?

To begin the discussion, I would like to share a poem:

******************************************************************

The Ins and Outs of It

John Fischer

"In it, not of it," the statement was made

As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.

"In it, not of it," the call was made clear,

But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.

"Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard.

And knowing the world was painfully absurd,

He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,

And went to the potluck for something to eat.

Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,

He'd show those fundies a thing or two!

How will the world ever give Christ a try

If we don't get in there and identify?

So "In it, and of it," he said in his car,

As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.

"I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able

To get myself out from under this table."

Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,

In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.

His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune

About how the Lord is coming back soon.

"Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill

And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill.

Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet,

He can have the world without having to face it.

While way up in heaven they lament these conditions

That come from changing a few prepositions.

"Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought.

But who in the world will know that he's not?

"In it, and of it," thought Christian Two.

But who in the world will know that he knew?

"Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three.

But who in the world watches Christian TV?

And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.

"'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?"

******************************************************************

So, what is it that you understand "In it, not of it" to mean?

Let's share!

To me its kind of like this. I am not "of" this world because really this world has nothing it can offer me. I know my only hope and happiness rests with the Lord. Being in this world, means I need to use my life to give God glory and to try and live the best life possible to be a "light" to the world. I dont always get it right but I keep trying to do the best job that I can humanly do.

[roselady]

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

How does it affect the way we live - or how should it?

To begin the discussion, I would like to share a poem:

******************************************************************

The Ins and Outs of It

John Fischer

"In it, not of it," the statement was made

As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.

"In it, not of it," the call was made clear,

But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.

"Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard.

And knowing the world was painfully absurd,

He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,

And went to the potluck for something to eat.

Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,

He'd show those fundies a thing or two!

How will the world ever give Christ a try

If we don't get in there and identify?

So "In it, and of it," he said in his car,

As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.

"I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able

To get myself out from under this table."

Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,

In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.

His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune

About how the Lord is coming back soon.

"Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill

And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill.

Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet,

He can have the world without having to face it.

While way up in heaven they lament these conditions

That come from changing a few prepositions.

"Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought.

But who in the world will know that he's not?

"In it, and of it," thought Christian Two.

But who in the world will know that he knew?

"Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three.

But who in the world watches Christian TV?

And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.

"'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?"

******************************************************************

So, what is it that you understand "In it, not of it" to mean?

Let's share!

To me its kind of like this. I am not "of" this world because really this world has nothing it can offer me. I know my only hope and happiness rests with the Lord. Being in this world, means I need to use my life to give God glory and to try and live the best life possible to be a "light" to the world. I dont always get it right but I keep trying to do the best job that I can humanly do.

[terter]

There have been some good posts -

Practical application:

It means that we realize the deception & take the appropriate action such as:

-protect kids from cartoons such as Avatar (depending on their ages what action is taken);

-Promises of freedom by having more debt (Pro 22:7)

-Particularly on tv, humor is used to promote ideas that aren't scriptural especially ones that promote witchcraft.

God's ways are opposite the world's such as not being totally focused on ourselves - die to self to really live; give of your possessions; and "take every thought captive."

[Everlasting127]

Being in the world, and not of it means: we should recognized that the world has evil,

and that we should not be partakers of it, but submit or will to God.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth.

Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of

disobedience:

Col 3:7 In which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Everlasting

Bible Inspired Author

Moon Over Key Biscayne

[Press Forward]

So we should not get involved with politics, either because politics are of this world.

I believe that is y we are in the mess were in. I would rather have a child of God governing me than a child of Satan.

I think as children of God we should be involved in everything...and shine in the name of Jesus Christ. I would like to see brothers and sisters excelling in every area of this world...and give Jesus Christ some glory. I would love to see a child of God in politics who would put Jesus, his way, his truth, front and center. I still haven't figured out y we have a label of christian music. I would rather see our talented children of God shining in the middle of all the music and set a standard that people would have to stop and notice. Almighty God said we are wheat amongs weeds....on his time he said he would separate us...i don't understand y we take it upon ourselves to separate from the world....

I don't know y we have to have Christians movies...y can't we have christian take over the entertainment industry...and put a dominant influence in it...

just some thoughts...