"To be in the world but not be of it"

This blog post is about we as Christians are supposed to live in the world but not be caught up in it.  The main point by this saying is that we can't get caught up in the world's ways of living.  The Holy Spirit wants us to conform to the image of Jesus Christ through Romans 8:28-29 daily.
This theme was discussed in some seminary classes I have taken and the book I just read A Christian Mind by Harry Blamires.  It is also a prevalent topic for those of us going into Christian ministry.  It is a call to focus on things that produce fruit in our lives such as truth and beauty in God's nature and to not focus on the way of the world that pull us in.  Traits of the world that may pulls us in include: money, power, sex, any indulgence, possessions, or just anything that the secular world desires not of God.
Sometimes we just focus on what we need and want while not focusing on others needs.  This could lead us into selfishness or greed.  We become consumed by needing or wanting this or that in life.  This effect pulls us away from loving and serving others needs.  Therefore, we are not what Christ calls us to be anymore.
Therefore, we can't be caught up in world's way and ideals.  If we don't think in a Christian mindset daily, then we will be walking aimlessly in life.
A Christian mindset focuses on eternity.  It is a call to focus on the God's love and power in our lives.  This mindset is also looks to our in our eternal future and not our present earthly state we are in right now.
The secular mindset only looks to itself and it's own needs and desires.  It only has room for it's secular or flesh desires.
There is also a difference for how truth is formed in a secular world and a Christian way of thinking .  In a Christian way of thinking truth is formed through divine revelation, while in a secular worldly way of thinking truth is formed intellectually.
Both of these forms of thinking in our world were discussed in detail in Harry Blamires book, The Christian Mind.  He gives an accurate description of how to live Christianly in a secular world.
Let us if you know Christ to put on a Christian mindset in this secular world that we live in.  We have to put on the character traits of Christ, and not fall into the world's traps that can easily ensnare us.