Seminary Reflections: In The World, Not Of It (Leviticus 20)

“In the world but not of it.” Christians often use this phrase to describe how we live in today’s cultural moment, navigating faith amidst competing values. In many ways, the book of Leviticus echoes this sentiment. It lays out God’s instructions for His people, Israel, on how to live under His rule and reign in stark contrast to the surrounding world.

Leviticus 20 is a powerful chapter that highlights three major themes: the call to pure worship and avoidance of occult practices, protecting the family and championing its sanctity, and the call to holiness by living differently than the surrounding cultures. I would argue that these principles, though given to ancient Israel, remain deeply relevant as we strive to follow God in our modern context.

Verses 1-9 open with one of the most heinous practices in ancient cultures: sacrificing children to the false god, Molech. Living in a polytheistic society, Israel was constantly tempted to blend their worship of Yahweh with the pagan practices of their neighbors. But God is clear: such compromises would defame His name and undermine their identity as His holy, set-apart people.

God’s command wasn’t just about avoiding rituals like child sacrifice or necromancy. It was about fidelity to Him. Verse 8 reminds us: “Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” Worship isn’t just about what we do outwardly; it’s about the inward posture of the heart. For Israel, remaining faithful to God meant resisting cultural pressures, even when those pressures were widespread and compelling.

Verses 10-21 shift the focus to the family unit. These verses outline serious prohibitions against acts like adultery, incest, bestiality, and homosexuality. While these commands may feel stark to modern ears, they reflect God’s deep concern for maintaining social and relational order.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this idea in 1 Corinthians 6:18, stating that sexual sin is uniquely destructive—it defiles both the body and soul. Repeatedly in Leviticus 20, God uses the phrase, “their blood is upon them” (v. 11, 13, 16), emphasizing the severity of such actions. Why such strong language? Because God’s design for the family is foundational to His plan for blessing the world. A “family of families” is how God intends to reflect His order and bring flourishing, and protecting this structure is crucial for that mission.

The final section of the chapter, verses 22-27, delivers the core message of Leviticus: God calls His people to be holy. Verse 23 states: “And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.”

The surrounding nations worshiped false gods, devalued life, and distorted God’s truths, but Israel was to be different. They were to reflect the holiness of Yahweh in every aspect of their lives. This distinction wasn’t about superiority but about embodying God’s character and purpose for the world to see.

Though some of Leviticus’ specifics may not directly translate to modern life, the principles remain timeless. God’s people are called to be holy and distinct. In a world that worships its own idols, redefines truth, and devalues the family, we are reminded to resist cultural conformity and live out Kingdom values.

The challenge is this: while we are in the world, we must not become of the world. Holiness doesn’t mean isolation—it means living in such a way that our lives point others to the God we serve.

God’s call to holiness is an invitation to live differently—not out of duty, but as a response to His grace and faithfulness. May we live as His distinct people, pointing the world to the hope found in Him.