Christians have always been misunderstood by the world. This should come as no surprise. John said, “The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (1 John 3:1). In not knowing us, the world often thinks the things that we do are strange. In fact, they often conclude that our actions are unnatural, sometimes even unloving. This is so because the world looks at the world, and life in general, through different lenses than we do. The Christian views things from a spiritual perspective, while the world views things from a physical perspective. This makes all the difference in the world. The decisions that we make and the actions that we take are based upon wisdom that is from above, the wisdom of God, while the world lives according to worldly wisdom. Furthermore, as long as people in the world view life from that physical and worldly vantage point, they will never see the wisdom in the actions of Christians and the way we live our lives. Not only do they not understand spiritual things, they, in their present state of mind, cannot understand them. Paul put it like this:

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Paul is not teaching the Calvinistic doctrine that says the natural man is totally depraved and cannot, apart from miraculous help from the Holy Spirit, obey the gospel. He, instead, is simply teaching that those who live according to the wisdom of this world, that is, those who have a carnal mindset, cannot, with that present mindset, understand things that can only be spiritually discerned. Paul taught basically the same thing in Romans 8 when he said that the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile towards God (Romans 8:7-8). This same fleshly mindset stops people in the world from understanding the action of Christians that are based upon God’s will and rooted in the word of God. Let me give you an example.

The Bible teaches that we are to withdraw from members of the Lord’s church who persist in living in sin.

1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)

¹¹ But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Unfortunately, sometimes this involves a family member (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, etc.). When a family member is a brother (a member of the Lord’s church), and he or she begins to live in sin, Paul tells us, and he tells us very clearly, not to associate with them. Paul is not vague about what this means. We are not to socialize with brethren, family members or not, who are living in sin and have been disciplined by the church (1 Corinthians 5:5), not even to share a common meal. This would clearly involve things such as social events, special occasions, and holidays. If not, why not! This is not done out of anger or any kind of hostility. It is not pay back for something, nor should it be done with a feeling of spiritual superiority. It is done in love, with the hope that it produces repentance on behalf of the sinner (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15). The world thinks this is horrible. They cannot comprehend a father purposely having no association with a son or a brother not being willing to eat with a sister. However, what needs to be pointed out is that their lack of understanding is not because it is wrong for those of us who are Christians not to associate with unfaithful brethren, even if they are family biologically; it is simply due to their carnal mindset. As Paul said, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God…”

This is just one example. There are several areas of life where Christians are called upon to stand with God and His word in opposition to what is popular in the world. The world cannot understand why we refuse to tolerate same-sex relationships. The world cannot understand why we refrain from alcoholic beverages and other worldly vices. The world cannot understand why we oppose dress that is immodest according to bible standards, but very acceptable to the majority in society. When it comes to the Christian, the world just does not (cannot) understand why we do what we do, think the way we think, and oppose what we oppose. It is not because they are totally depraved. It is not because, apart from a miraculous outpouring of the Spirit, it is impossible for them to do or think anything good spiritually. It is simply because their current state of mind is carnal. They are ruled by the wisdom of this world instead of the wisdom of God. The real tragedy is that there are too many within the borders of the body of Christ who think more like they do than like a Christian.