10 Steps to Holiness In An Unholy World
Use the 10 steps to holiness I’ve listed below to learn how to live a holy life in an unholy world. You may ask yourself a question like this one. Is holiness only for pastors, prophets, teachers, apostles, and evangelists or for every Christian?
God gave instructions to Moses right down to the priests’ underwear in Exodus 28:42-43. So, holiness is a big deal for God.
Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, to not incur guilt and die.
I wish holiness only depended on our underwear. Likewise, learning how to live a holy life is more than obeying a list of “Ye shall not’s.” None of us are fit for the kingdom of God without Jesus. He is the only one who delivers you and me from unholy sin.
2 Timothy 1:9-10
He saved us and called us to a holy life. Not because of anything we did but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
How To Live a Holy Life: What Does It Mean?
It may be easier to understand what holiness is when you know what IT’S NOT.
Keeping your hands clasped together ready to pray or quoting scripture non-stop when you’re among other believers only draws attention to yourself. Acting religiously points to your unholiness.
Your family knows you aren’t holy if you do these things. When you get home, you cuss a blue streak, kick the cat, or leave messes for everyone else to clean up. You may even watch porn the whole afternoon without connecting the dots that holiness isn’t on your radar.
Holiness or the lack of it is a reflection of your heart’s condition. It’s also directly opposite of profane—which means irreverent, unconsecrated, worldly, earthly.
In fact, two of Aaron’s sons, priests on behalf of the people of Israel, didn’t understand how to be holy.
Leviticus 10:1-3
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:
“‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” Aaron remained silent.
I’d be silent too. Before you throw up your hands in desperation, it’s possible to live a holy life both privately and publicly.
10 Steps to Holiness
These 10 ways to live a holy life also include characteristics of a holy life. They’re goals every Christians can attain.
- First, believe that you can be holy because God said so. Leviticus 11:45 – “I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. “
- As a Christian, Jesus set you apart from the world and its standards. You have a sacred responsibility to act differently. When the Azusa Street Revival occurred from 1906-1915, worshippers were called holiness people. God was the most important aspect of their lives and nothing else.
- Pleasing God is what you think about constantly. You consciously choose to do so. Your actions reflect good fruit because you strive to please God. God’s love for you and your love for Him is the motivator behind everything you do and say. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.“
- Christians intent on being holy don’t actively pursue sin. They don’t watch secular television or consort regularly with unbelievers. They set their minds like flint to live in the world but not of the world. James 4:4 – “Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy?” It’s a great comfort that the Holy Spirit lives inside each Christian. He always points a believer toward holiness.
- Learning to obey God quickly keeps Christians out of trouble. You always have a spiritual edge when you meditate on the Word of God. When scripture gets deep in your spirit, its instructions guide you before your flesh sides with the world.
5 More of the 10 Steps to Holiness
- Listen to God’s loving corrections because He always wants to take you closer to holiness. You do that by keeping your heart tender so you remain teachable.
- Temptations are meant to trip you up. By knowing your weaknesses, you can look out for traps set by satan to keep you from holiness.
- Fast as necessary as often to keep on track with your decision to live a holy life. If greed, hate, pride or some other sin keeps pulling you away from God, a spiritual discipline like fasting can help.
- Praying often frees you from believing that becoming holy is entirely up to you. God knows what you need and He can help you with your next steps of faith.
- Remember you aren’t on a quest to look holy but be holy.
10 Steps to Holiness: One Last Takeaway on How to Live a Holy Life
Striving to develop holiness in your body is a lifetime event. It seems impossible at times to “be holy because God is holy.” Improvement happens little by little. God is pleased with your sincere efforts to live a holy life.
When you’re a member of God’s family by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, you’re considered holy, consecrated, and sanctified. The only thing that’s left is to train your body to become holy.
Hebrews 10:10
And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One).
Hebrews 2:11
For both He Who sanctifies [making men holy] and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.
My load to become holy became considerably lighter when I discovered Jesus carried this burden for me already. My job is to discipline my mind, will, and emotions to fall in line behind holiness whether at home or in a crowd. For “without holiness, no one will see the Lord“, Hebrews 12:14.