Be In The World, But Not Of The World

Things we say that are offensive to God:

• cursing men
• speaking evil of others
• judgements against others
• judgements against the law
• unkind words
• swearing 
• inappropriate language
• loss of temper

Things we say that are pleasing to God:

• blessing God
• expressions of love toward another
• fervent prayer
• songs of praise
• hymns of Zion

I love what Jeffrey R. Holland says in regards to this:

“Obviously James doesn’t mean our tongues are always iniquitous, nor that everything we say is ‘full of deadly poison.’ But he clearly means that at least some things we say can be destructive, even venomous—and that is a chilling indictment for a Latter-day Saint! The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zioncan be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. …

“Husbands, you have been entrusted with the most sacred gift God can give you—a wife, a daughter of God, the mother of your children who has voluntarily given herself to you for love and joyful companionship. Think of the kind things you said when you were courting, think of the blessings you have given with hands placed lovingly upon her head, … and then reflect on other moments characterized by cold, caustic, unbridled words. … A husband who would never dream of striking his wife physically can break, if not her bones, then certainly her heart by the brutality of thoughtless or unkind speech. …

“… Wives, what of the unbridled tongue in your mouth, of the power for good or ill in your words? How is it that such a lovely voice … could ever in a turn be so shrill, so biting, so acrid and untamed? A woman’s words can be more piercing than any dagger ever forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined” (“The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 16–17). 

Symptoms of being of the world:

• fighting
• lusts
• adultery
• killing
• friend of the world is enemy to God
• asking amiss:

James observed that prayers are inappropriate if one’s intent is just to satisfy improper desires. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that we must seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost in order to avoid asking “amiss”: “God sees things as they really are and as they will become. We don’t! In order to tap that precious perspective during our prayers, we must rely upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. With access to that kind of knowledge, we would then pray for what we and others should have—really have. With the Spirit prompting us, we will not ask ‘amiss’” (“What Should We Pray For?” in Prayer [2005], 23).

Symptoms of being out of the world:

• submissive to God
• resist the devil
• drawing night to God
• clean hands
• pure hearts
• humble
• speaking no evil

Apostasy in Our Day

We live in a fearful day and age, where there is much evil in the world, but "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" and he has saved us to come to earth during this specific time (2 Timothy 1:7-9). This world is dark, so we need to aid in giving it light by being witnesses of Jesus Christ and sharing our light. We need to have faith each and everyday; we need to be strong in our faith amidst all the evil around us. Continue in the things which you know are true, have faith in the teachings found in the church, and hold strong to what you know is right (2 Timothy 3:14).  Use the scriptures to guide you and inspire you as the scriptures are of God (2 Timothy 3:16). There are many who will turn away from the truth and be deceived through the many lies of Satan (2 Timothy 4:4). Don't follow after them; don't adhere to the things of the world. The words of our prophet and apostles are also scripture, they are current scripture applicable to us right now. We need to heed the things they say and use their teachings, along with the teachings found in the scriptures, to guide our lives so that we can better ourselves and return back to our Father in Heaven.
Paul discusses in 2 Timothy about the apostasy of the people. He shares how it was evidenced by people turning away from the prophets because the words they say will hurt and "eat as doth a canker" (2 Timothy 2:17). People will follow after their own lusts and all the appealing lies of the adversary. These things are evidenced today as well. No matter what the world may say to try to convince us to change our ways, "the foundation of God standeth sure" (2 Timothy 2:19). There are a lot of different churches, each contesting that they have the truth, some even going as far as to say there is no God; these are signs of Apostasy (2 Nephi 28:3-5). There will be many people who will say it's okay to do as you please because life is short so live it how you want (2 Nephi 28:7). This is not the way to live. We need to stay strong and live in a way that we can be proud of. The way of the Lord may not be the favorite way to live, but it is the right way to live. I know if you strive to abide all the laws and commandments of God, you will be made perfect through Him and His grace. The scriptures are the best guide and can inspire you, correct you, and instruct you in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Live As Saints Should Live

It can be difficult at times to live the life that we should. Sometimes we see the bar set before us as too high and unattainable, especially as Latter-Day Saints. However we need to always be striving to live as we should. Satan is going to tempt us and pressure us into falling; we need to endure to the end and follow after the example of Jesus Christ in all of our daily decisions.

Paul gives us counsel in Romans regarding things that we should do that will lead to salvation:

Romans 12:1 Sacrifice yourself in service to others and to God.

Romans 12:2 Be in the world but not of the world.

Romans 12:9 Love others sincerely. Avoid that which is evil and cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:13 Be hospitable.

Romans 12:16 Be humble.

Romans 12:21 Overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:1 Be submissive and obedient to God above.

Romans 13:3 Do that which is good.

Romans 13:8 Love one another.

Romans 13:9 Don't commit adultery, don't bear false witness, don't covet, and love thy neighbor as thyself.

Romans 14

We all have different opinions. We also all have our own agency to make our own decisions. God has granted us with that right and responsibility. And we will all have to be responsible to God in the end for how well we used that right.  Verse 5 states, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Christ suffered for each and everyone of us. And so He knows each of us best. He is the rightful judge. "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ." (Romans 14:10) And "then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

We must be kind and not judge others for their actions. We all make mistakes and we all have the right to our own opinion, even if we don't agree with it we must trust that God will make everything right in the end. The insults of others fall on Christ so when you insult or look down on someone, it is as if you are insulting God (Romans 15:3). Our responsibility is just to love, and to love everyone. No matter their situation, no matter their choices, no matter their race or sexual orientation; our place isn't to judge, but to love.

D&C 38:25-27 gives a great analogy about a man with twelve sons that helps to put it into perspective that we must esteem our brother as ourselves, as none of us are better than the other.