Mensa Otabil - We Are Not of the World (09/28/2025)
Welcome to day three of our 40 days of power. I’m sure by this time you are finding your stride; the prayers are becoming more purposeful, your body is adjusting, and you are beginning to experience renewal in your life. The Scriptures teach that we are not of this world, and on this third day of our 40 days of power, that is what we want to focus on. John chapter 17, verses 15 and 16: «I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world just as I am not of the world.» We belong to God; that’s the important thought: we belong to God.
We will live for the Lord, and we will live by His word. Christians are citizens of two kingdoms: the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. Jesus understands this because while He was here on earth, He was also living in two kingdoms. He lived in this world, while also living in the heavenly kingdom, and He had to manage life in these two contrasting worlds—one filled with all kinds of trouble and one filled with peace; one that is spiritual and one that is physical. That is the world in which we live. God’s immediate desire, as Jesus said, is not to take us out of the physical world; He says, «This is your world. I’m not going to take you out of this world, but you have to remember that although you are in it, you are not of it.»
One of the important lessons we must learn in our journey with God is that we are not of this world. We participate; we see what is happening, but our desires must not come from this world. Our lifestyle must not reflect that of the world. Our desires and lifestyles must reflect those of the kingdom of God—those that are spiritual, holy, and righteous. So, although God has not taken us out of this world, He is able to keep us from the evil in this world.
I pray that during this time, God will keep us from the evil of this world. The evil of this world is, first of all, Satan and his cohorts. During this time of prayer and fasting, we can trust the Lord to keep us safe from every evil, every demonic attack, harassment, and every evil power. Secondly, the evil of this world manifests in sin, and during this time of prayer, we trust the Lord to keep us from sin. Thirdly, the evil of this world brings suffering, and during this time of prayer and fasting, we trust God to keep us from all harm and evil.
Although we are in this world, Jesus is able to keep us from the evil of this world. He keeps us from Satan, from sin, and from suffering. There will be suffering in this world, but God will keep us from it. There will be sin in this world, but God will keep us from it. And although Satan is in this world, God will keep us from him. Jesus said, «This is what I pray for you: you are in this world, but I pray that you will be kept from the evil of this world.»
So, on this third day, we want to focus our minds on God delivering us from the evil of this world and on not becoming part of this world. Why don’t you join me in prayer as we pray together? Say with me: «Heavenly Father, I belong to You. I trust You to keep me from the evil one, from all his works, from all his activities, and from all his attacks. In Jesus' name, Amen.» May the Lord keep you; may the Lord protect you. You are in this world, but you belong to God. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.