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1.4 – What does “Being Polluted by the World” Mean?
Respond in paragraph format to the following prompt(s):
- What does it mean to ‘keep oneself from being polluted by the world?’ Is this a call to complete renunciation of any association with non-Christians? How can we live this out without creating legalism with what is acceptable or not acceptable for the Christian to do? Where else in the Bible can we go to for wisdom in this area of engagement with culture?
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5 Replies
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“Keeping oneself from being polluted by the world” means that while we sit with non-Christians we are not to adopt their way of life. Many of us have already been there and we don’t want to go back to old sinful behaviors. We are to be examples of Christ and His love.
If we renunciate association with non-Christians, we’re missing the whole point of what Christ’s directive is for us. We are in the world, not of the world.
I believe we can live this out by staying in the Word, leaning in to Christ, by doing so we supernaturally want to do what God wants us to do and live how He wants us to live.
Some verses that speak to what God expects from us and His direction for engaging with the world are :
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1 John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
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2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
These are but a few.
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@dostapyshyn very helpful list of verses! Thanks for a detailed answer.
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From my understanding, keeping oneself from being polluted by the world is keeping ourselves from being run and influenced by the world. This does not mean we have to avoid non-Christians. It just means that our minds would have to be renewed by God and not by this world. Every aspects of our lives should be ran by God and not by the culture or the society that we live in.
We can live this out without legalism by having the attitude of humility and grace in our lives.
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@ianabad great answer.
Have you ever heard this translation of Romans 12:1? “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.” This translation helps remind me that the pattern of the world is an active force that desires to press me into its mold. For this reason, I have to practively fight it by choosing to be renewed in my mind each day.
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Being polluted by world means walking and living in sin. Allowing sinful desire to rule in our lives. Our lives in filled with sinful nature. Controlled by the worldly things.
And keeping oneself from being polluted by the world is setting apart for the Lord”You are the Lord’s own special people. He has chosen you to belong to him. You are much more valuable to him than any other people in the whole earth.”
Deuteronomy 14:2 EASY
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
God wants us to respond in his invitation to set apart from the world and also
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
To live a Holy life.
A call to renunciation is turning from sin. Be the light and salt of the world. And how can we live this out is by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us his ways by reading the word of God. .
Bible Verse:
Romans 12:1,2; 1peter 2:9
2 Cor. 2:14; John 12:46
Colossians 1:13
bible.com
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pa
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