Introduction: Honestly, are we finding the world has a bigger influence on us than we are willing to admit?

• T.V. industry
• Movie industry
• Social media outlets
• Hollywood
• Sports
• Corporate world
• New fads in culture, etc.

What does it mean to be IN the world but not OF the world?

1. What is the biblical definition of the WORLD?

“15Love 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. 16For 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. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1John 2:15-17)

Someone has defined “the world” as the ideas, characteristics, mindset, and ways of sinful humanity. SELF is at the CENTER! The devil is driving the TRAIN.

The great evangelist D.L. Moody had these words inscribed on his epitaph…

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Moody was gloriously converted while a Sunday School teacher named Edward Kimball witnessed to him. Of all places, the new birth experience happened at a shoe store, as Mr Kimball put his hand on the older teenager -Moody- and said something of this effect, “Don’t you think it is about time to invite Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and Savior?”
To which Moody responded by praying for forgiveness through the blood of Jesus and was then quickened by the Holy Spirit. The last words of the renown evangelist were something like this… “The earth is receding, God is beckoning, I must be away.”

2. What is the key to living in the WORLD but not being of the WORLD?

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4)

3. What is the criteria of being in the “WORLD” but not being of the WORLD”?

“4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1John 5:4, 5)

Notice the part of being “born again.”

Jesus said to a religious Pharisee, Nicodemus, who was a member of the prestigious Sanhedrin, “You must be born again.” (John 3:1-6)

Without being born by the Spirit, and left to ourselves, we will fall prey to the enticing things of the world every time. However, once regenerated, then the believing CHRISTian has the power to OVERCOME.

Conclusion: Paul writes, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:1, 2)

The word “conformed” is συσχηματίζω,(soos-khay-mat-id’-zo), which literally means to conform to….be shaped by.

The Israelites are a good example of being influenced by their Egyptian culture; i.e. building a golden calf to worship after being delivered by the strong hand of the Lord.

Rather than being CONFORMED to the world, we are to be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of our minds. That is what our Lord is doing as you read these daily devotions. “BLESS the Lord”!

Jesus told His followers: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”