Joyce Meyer says Christians 'can't be like the world and be an example to the world' at the same time

Joyce Meyer says, 'Believers are called to sanctify themselves, forsake sin, live a holy manner of life.' (Facebook/Joyce Meyer Ministries)

Popular Christian speaker and author Joyce Meyer says the Church has made great compromises to fit into the demands of society.

She believes this is wrong because Christians cannot be like the world.

"We can't just be like the world and be an example to the world" at the same time, Meyer says in an online sermon she delivered to her congregation in St. Louis on Monday, according to The Christian Post.

"The lines are getting really blurred out there about what is even right, and what's wrong," she says.

Meyer says God wants His people to be both happy and holy, and this is why Christians need to pay attention to the people and situations that they engage with.

"If I hang out with the wrong people, and listen to dirty jokes at lunch, and I sit and partake in all the office gossip, and go to all kinds of raunchy movies, and I go to parties where there is drinking and all kinds of sexual stuff" but then also go to church on Sunday, "that's not pursuing holiness," Meyer says.

Meyer warns Christians that they can catch unholiness simply by hanging out with the wrong people consistently. Luckily, believers have a choice in everything they do, she says.

Christians are consistently under attack by non-believers. Even in the workplace, believers are mocked for their faith and values. Even so, Meyer says Christians should simply "be who you are" and stay true to their faith.

"Holiness is a gift to God's grace," she says. "We are made holy by the grace of God."

Meyer also clarifies that using make-up, beauty products, and going dancing, among many other things, are not really bad. She says Christians can enjoy these things just as long as they conduct themselves properly. "Believers are called to sanctify themselves, forsake sin, live a holy manner of life," she says.

related articles
Joyce Meyer on facing the truth that matters most
Joyce Meyer on facing the truth that matters most

Joyce Meyer on facing the truth that matters most

Key to personal transformation is \'learning to think like God thinks\' — Joyce Meyer
Key to personal transformation is 'learning to think like God thinks' — Joyce Meyer

Key to personal transformation is 'learning to think like God thinks' — Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer says her father raped her at least 200 times: \'There was no place I ever felt safe growing up\'
Joyce Meyer says her father raped her at least 200 times: 'There was no place I ever felt safe growing up'

Joyce Meyer says her father raped her at least 200 times: 'There was no place I ever felt safe growing up'

Joyce Meyer says she fell into devil\'s trap when she blamed herself for her father\'s sexual abuse of her
Joyce Meyer says she fell into devil's trap when she blamed herself for her father's sexual abuse of her

Joyce Meyer says she fell into devil's trap when she blamed herself for her father's sexual abuse of her

Joyce Meyer: \'When we worry, we are not walking in faith and trusting God\'
Joyce Meyer: 'When we worry, we are not walking in faith and trusting God'

Joyce Meyer: 'When we worry, we are not walking in faith and trusting God'

News
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors

A powerful wave of compassion from across the UK has helped raise more than £10m for the people of Myanmar, devastated by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit on 28th March 2025, claiming over 3,000 and leaving many more injured and displaced.

Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion
Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion

In a major funding boost aimed at revitalising local churches and expanding outreach efforts, the Church of England has announced a new wave of grants supporting parishes across both urban and rural communities. 

Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral
Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral

The grant is part of the cathedral's Restoring Pugin Project

Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church
Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church

Those who have survived consider themselves lucky