The Bible teaches that we should be different from the world; we should not copy or emulate the behavior of the world. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT) To be different is to be unlike another person, it also means to be unique and distinct from others. As believers, there should be differences between the unbelievers and us.
When we become born again we are transformed into a new person, our thought pattern changes to reflect our new way of life, and we no longer walk according to the flesh, or our sinful nature. The Apostle Paul describes the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21. “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (NLT) The world follows the desire of their sinful nature but the Holy Spirit, the Presence of God in our lives, leads us as believers.
When Moses was getting ready to take the Israelites into the Promised Land, he asked the Lord who would go with him to the Promised Land. “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?'” Exodus 33:14-16 (NIV)
Did you see the Lord’s answer? I will go with you! My Presence will be with you! I will walk with you into the Promised Land, and it will be my Presence that will distinguish you from other people who live in the land. Just like the Israelites who became distinguished or were different from the people of the land because of the Presence of the Lord, you are also different from the world. Today, the Presence of the Lord is manifested in a different way with us. He dwells in us in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer walks around with the Presence of God in his or her life. In other words, you are carrying the Glory of God; you are a Glory carrier. Because you are a Glory carrier, there should be a difference between you and the unbeliever. As Paul declared to the Corinthian believers, I declare to you that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Treat it that way. Don’t indulge or submit your bodies to the works of the flesh.
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)
Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott