How Can Parents Teach Their Children to Stand Apart From the World?

By Al Felder

Children need to learn that God’s people must be different from the world. This does not mean they should be rude, proud, strange for the sake of being strange, or hateful toward others. Christians are to be kind, compassionate, honest, respectful, and willing to do good, but they must not blend in with a world that rejects God’s authority, excuses sin, mocks holiness, and follows human desire.

Parents must teach children early that following God will sometimes make them different. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That command is needed in every generation. The world is constantly trying to press children into its mold. It wants to shape what they love, what they laugh at, what they wear, what they watch, how they speak, what they believe, and how they define right and wrong. Parents must teach their children not to be shaped by the world, but by the word of God.

The World Is Not a Safe Spiritual Guide

Children need to understand that the world is not neutral. The world may offer entertainment, friendship, education, opportunity, and success, but it also often promotes values that are opposed to God. It may call sin normal, modesty outdated, obedience restrictive, worship optional, truth hateful, and holiness unnecessary. First John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” This does not mean Christians must hate people. God loves the souls of men, and Christians must do good to all, but the desires, values, pride, and sinful ways of the world must not rule the heart.

Children should learn that not everything popular is right. Not everything accepted is approved by God. Not everything entertaining is harmless. Not every friend gives wise counsel. Not every trend deserves to be followed. The question must not be, “What is everyone else doing?” The question must be, “What does God say?”

Standing Apart Begins With the Heart

Being different from the world begins inside. A child may dress differently, attend worship, avoid certain activities, and still have a worldly heart. He may look separate outwardly while still loving pride, attention, entertainment, money, popularity, or selfish pleasure. Jesus taught that what comes from the heart defiles a man (Mark 7:20-23). Therefore, parents must teach children to guard the heart, not merely manage outward appearance.

A heart set apart for God wants to please Him.

It loves truth.

It hates evil.

It desires purity.

It receives correction.

It seeks wisdom.

It values the soul.

It wants to obey.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Parents must help children see that worldliness often begins quietly in the heart before it appears openly in conduct.

Children Must Learn That Holiness Matters

God calls His people to holiness. First Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” Holiness is not limited to worship services. It reaches all conduct. It affects speech, clothing, friendships, entertainment, desires, attitudes, work, family, and worship. Children need to learn that Christianity is not merely something they claim. It is something that shapes the whole life.

A holy child, as he matures, will learn to ask:

Does this please God?

Is this pure?

Is this honest?

Is this respectful?

Is this modest?

Is this authorized by Scripture?

Will this help or harm my soul?

Will this influence others for good or for evil?

Parents should teach holiness as something beautiful and good, not as a joyless burden. God’s way protects, purifies, and directs the soul. His commands are not given to rob man of good, but to lead man in righteousness.

Children Must Learn to Say No

Standing apart from the world requires learning to say no. Titus 2:11-12 says the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly. Grace does not teach indulgence. Grace teaches denial, discipline, and godliness.

Children must learn to say no to sinful entertainment.

No to dishonest speech.

No to immodesty.

No to disrespect.

No to cruel jokes.

No to peer pressure.

No to gossip.

No to lust.

No to rebellion.

No to false worship.

No to anything that draws the heart away from God.

Parents should not wait until temptation arrives to begin teaching this. Children need practice. They need clear instruction. They need examples. They need to know what to say when someone pressures them. A child who has never been taught to say no to small things may struggle to say no to greater dangers.

Friends Can Pull Children Toward the World

Companionship is one of the strongest influences in a child’s life. First Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” Children often think they can remain unaffected by close friendship with those who love sin. They may say, “They will not change me,” or “I know what is right,” but God warns that evil company corrupts.

Parents must teach children to choose friends wisely.

A friend who mocks obedience is dangerous.

A friend who encourages secrecy is dangerous.

A friend who laughs at sin is dangerous.

A friend who pressures them to disobey parents is dangerous.

A friend who pulls them away from worship, modesty, purity, truth, and respect for God is dangerous.

Children should be kind to all, but close companionship must be chosen with care. A child can show compassion without following foolishness. He can be friendly without becoming worldly.

Entertainment Must Be Judged by God’s Word

Entertainment shapes the heart. Children may think movies, shows, games, music, videos, and online content are “just for fun,” but entertainment teaches. It teaches what is funny, admirable, desirable, normal, and acceptable. It can make sin look harmless, and holiness look foolish. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.” That principle belongs in the home.

Parents should teach children to evaluate entertainment:

Does it glorify sin?

Does it mock God?

Does it promote immodesty?

Does it make rebellion look funny?

Does it fill the mind with impurity?

Does it encourage violence, cruelty, lying, or pride?

Does it weaken reverence for God?

Children must learn that being entertained is not worth corrupting the heart. Parents must be willing to remove, limit, or refuse entertainment that works against holiness. This may make children feel different from others, but difference is part of faithfulness.

Children Must Learn Courage

Standing apart requires courage. Children may be mocked for doing right. They may be excluded for refusing wrong. They may be misunderstood for dressing modestly, speaking cleanly, obeying parents, worshiping faithfully, or rejecting popular sins.

Exodus 23:2 says, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil.” That verse should be stored deeply in a child’s mind. The crowd may be loud, confident, and persuasive, but the crowd can still be wrong.

Daniel and his friends provide powerful examples of courage. They were taken into a foreign culture, surrounded by pressure, and expected to conform. Yet Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). That kind of purpose must be taught. Children need courage before the moment of testing comes. They need to know that it is better to stand with God than to fit in with sin.

Parents Must Not Make the World Attractive

Parents can unintentionally make the world attractive to their children. If parents talk constantly about money, status, sports, entertainment, appearance, popularity, and success while rarely showing joy in God’s word, worship, service, and holiness, children will learn what the home values.

If parents condemn worldliness in words but consume it in practice, children will notice.

If parents say worship matters but casually skip it, children will notice.

If parents warn against immodesty but praise worldly appearance, children will notice.

If parents speak against sin but laugh at it on a screen, children will notice.

Parents must not merely tell children to stand apart from the world. They must show them a better way of life. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Children should see that the kingdom truly comes first in the home.

Standing Apart Does Not Mean Despising People

Children also need to learn the proper spirit. Being separate from the world does not mean being hateful toward people in the world. Christians must love souls, show kindness, speak truth, and seek the good of others. Jesus was separate from sin, yet He showed compassion to sinners and taught them the way of God.

Children must not become proud or harsh. They should not look down on others as though they are better by nature. They should remember that all need mercy, truth, and salvation. Galatians 6:1 says restoration should be done “in a spirit of gentleness.” Second Timothy 2:24-25 teaches patience and humility in correcting those who are in opposition. Parents must teach children to stand firmly without becoming cruel.

Truth and love belong together.

Children Must Learn That Obedience Will Cost Something

Following God may cost popularity, comfort, friendships, opportunities, or approval. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Children should not be surprised when the world dislikes what God commands. They should not think they are doing something wrong simply because others mock them.

Second Timothy 3:12 says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Not all persecution is severe, but faithful living will bring opposition. Parents should prepare children gently but clearly. Obedience is worth the cost. No friendship, approval, trend, pleasure, or opportunity is worth losing the soul. Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). That question should govern how children think about fitting in.

The Home Must Be a Place of Spiritual Strength

The home should strengthen children against the pull of the world.

God’s word should be opened there.

Prayer should be heard there.

Worship should be prioritized there.

Modesty should be practiced there.

Speech should be clean there.

Love should be shown there.

Sin should be corrected there.

Holiness should be honored there.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 shows God’s word being taught diligently in the daily life of the home. Parents cannot expect children to stand against the world if the home is spiritually weak. The home should be a place where children learn who they are, whom they serve, and why God’s way matters.

Parents Must Model Separation From the World

Children need to see parents stand apart.

They need to see a father who controls his eyes, speech, anger, and priorities.

They need to see a mother who values modesty, purity, kindness, and reverence more than worldly approval.

They need to see parents who choose worship over convenience, truth over popularity, and holiness over entertainment.

They need to see adults who can say no.

They need to see repentance when parents fail.

First Corinthians 11:1 says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Parents should live in such a way that their children can follow their example toward Christ. A worldly parent will struggle to raise spiritually separate children.

Children Must Learn Their Identity in Christ

As children mature, they must learn that belonging to God is greater than belonging to the world. First Peter 2:9 describes God’s people as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” That identity is not for pride, but for purpose. God’s people are to proclaim His praises and live as those called out of darkness.

Children should understand that being different is not a loss when the difference belongs to God.

They do not need to be ashamed of modesty.

They do not need to be ashamed of worship.

They do not need to be ashamed of truth.

They do not need to be ashamed of obedience.

They do not need to be ashamed of the gospel.

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Parents must help children grow into that conviction.

Teaching Children to Stand Apart Every Day

Standing apart from the world is taught in ordinary moments.

It is taught when entertainment is refused.

It is taught when clothing is chosen modestly.

It is taught when a child says no to peer pressure.

It is taught when the family chooses worship over recreation.

It is taught when parents explain why certain language is not acceptable.

It is taught when friendships are guided.

It is taught when Scripture settles questions.

It is taught when parents model holiness.

The world will continue trying to shape children.

Parents must teach them to belong to God.

Teach them not to follow the crowd into evil.

Teach them not to love the world.

Teach them not to be ashamed of truth.

Teach them to be holy in all conduct.

Teach them to stand apart with humility, courage, and love.

A child who learns to stand apart from the world is being prepared to stand with God.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I teaching my children that God’s people must not be conformed to the world?

2. Do I help my children evaluate entertainment, friendships, clothing, speech, and priorities by Scripture?

3. Am I modeling holiness and separation from worldliness in my own life?

4. Do my children understand that standing apart does not mean being proud or hateful toward others?

5. What worldly influence in our home needs to be removed, limited, or corrected this week?