The Pull of the World vs. the Call of Christ

Being a Christian is like walking a tightrope while the crowd below throws distractions your way. You’re in the world but not of it, a balance Jesus highlighted in His prayer for believers:

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:16 (NASB)

This isn’t a call to pack up and move to a cave in the mountains. It’s an invitation to live in the messy, noisy world while staying true to Christ’s way of life. The hard part is knowing when to stand firm and when to adapt without losing your identity in Christ.

Business Practices

Let’s start with something that stings: honesty. Integrity in business isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the loudest ways to witness to others. Proverbs puts it bluntly:

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
Proverbs 11:1 (NASB)

In practical terms, this might mean refusing to cut corners, even when it costs you profits or opportunities. The world says, “Do whatever it takes to win,” but Christ calls us to reject dishonesty and let our word be our bond. Remember, your work is a reflection of your faith.

Relationships

Relationships are messy. They demand forgiveness, even when it feels undeserved. Peter thought he was being generous when he asked Jesus if forgiving someone seven times was enough. Jesus’s response? Try seventy-seven times:

“Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.’”
Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB)

Forgiveness isn’t just a command; it’s a reflection of the forgiveness we’ve received. Holding grudges might feel natural, but the cross reminds us that mercy triumphs over judgment.

Entertainment Choices

What you feed your mind will eventually shape your heart. Paul’s letter to the Philippians lays out a simple but challenging filter for what we consume:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Netflix binges, social media, podcasts—ask yourself if these things encourage you to live more like Christ or distract you from Him. It’s not about living in a bubble but about guarding your heart. Entertainment isn’t neutral; it either pulls you closer to God or further away.

When the World Pulls Too Hard

There will be moments when the pull of the world feels stronger than the call of Christ. Paul felt this tension, too, and offered encouragement:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Renewing your mind means daily realigning your thoughts, desires, and actions with God’s Word. It’s not a one-time decision; it’s a daily discipline.

Final Thoughts

Living righteously in an unrighteous world isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Christ’s prayer in John 17 wasn’t just for His disciples but for everyone who follows Him. The challenge is clear: hold onto your faith without retreating from the world. Stand firm where it matters, adapt where it doesn’t, and always let the call of Christ drown out the noise of the crowd.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB®), Copyright © 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.