What Does the Bible Say About Not Being Worldly?

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 Peter 3:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ...

Jude 1:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

James 4:1-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ...

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

James 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ...

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

John 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

John 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

Matthew 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Ezekiel 34:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; ...

Isaiah 64:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? ...

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Psalm 104:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.

Psalm 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Revelation 11:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

27 Bible Verses about Not Being Worldly

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jude 1:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 4:1-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ezekiel 34:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 64:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 104:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Revelation 11:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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27 Bible Verses about Not Being Worldly

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jude 1:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:1-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 34:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 64:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 104:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jude 1:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 4:1-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Galatians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 12:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ezekiel 34:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 64:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 104:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Revelation 11:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote