In order to live as a true genuine Christian, you MUST stop living a secular life. Matthew 16:26 says, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?”
The ways of the world, are not the ways of the Father. We see this as we read the Gospels. Jesus, the lord of lords and king of kings, humbled Himself by coming into earth by means of lowliness, poverty, meekness, and love.
The only concern Jesus had for royalty, riches, fame, and affirmation was the salvation of men whom those consumed. Jesus rejected every sinful desire that comes natural to our human nature, for He knew eternity in Heaven with the Father brings far more fulfillment than we could ever imagine. And since we are to walk in His footsteps, being holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16), we are also to reject the sinful secular ways of life.
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.” John 17:14
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.” John 8:23-24
Conviction for Living a Secular Life
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, brethren, I implore you by the mercies of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God—a spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you will be able to discern the will of God and to know what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
James 4:4
Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1 John 5:19
We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.
Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Call From a Secular Life to Christian Life
Romans 12:9-21
The New Life in Christ
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught to cast aside the old self of your former way of life that had been corrupted by its captivating desires. 23 You are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self created in God’s image, in the way of uprightness and holiness that belong to the truth.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outer self is continuing to decay, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 Our temporary light afflictions are preparing for us an incomparable weight of eternal glory, 18 for our eyes are fixed not on what is seen but rather on that which cannot be seen. What is visible is transitory; what is invisible is eternal.
10 Realistic Ways to Avoid “Living” a Secular Life
- LIMIT Screen time (phone, TV, tablet, etc.) (check your daily and weekly screen time in your phone settings and try to cut that in half)
- When you DO have screen time
- 1. Set a timer
- 2. ONLY look at or watch something God honoring (if you wouldn’t watch it or look at it with Jesus standing right behind you, then DON’T watch it).
- When you DO have screen time
- LIMIT the news
- Be concerned about our world and the people in it, but do not believe everything you hear, and become a vessel filled with consistent despair and information.
- Pray about NOT holding your beauty and body to the standards of the world
- Take note of what is described of the Proverbs 31 woman. It is not her looks and her beauty that is mentioned, but her fear of the Lord (reverence) and qualities of servitude.
- Pray that you will see yourself as God sees you, and focus on wanting His approval instead of man’s (man meaning men or women).
- Live in the moment with the intention to glorify God
Prayer from St. Faustina’s Dairy 2
O My God
When I look into the future, I am frightened,
But why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.
It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct, or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced, I must entrust to God.
O present moment, you belong to me,
whole and entire. I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small, You grant me the grace of Your omnipotence.
And so, trusting in Your mercy, I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for your greater glory.
- Be content with the gifts God has given you
- Don’t numb your sufferings (your trials from God) with worldly “coping methods”
- Make a list of your sins (big and small) and FIGHT to keep yourself from engaging with those sins
- Use the fruits of the Spirit (in all actions, conversations, and thoughts)
- Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control
- For example: With my depression and anxiety, I had to work hard (and I mean hard) to use the fruit of the Spirit: self control, to keep the devil from continuously placing intrusive thoughts and scenarios in my mind, feeding my depression.
- Disconnect from what’s “in” or “popular” and enjoy what you enjoy without caring what “the world” thinks about it.
- Stop trying to please everyone or anyone, try to please God.
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