Have you ever heard the word “holy” and immediately pictured someone who is, well, a little boring? Maybe a monk in a monastery or a saint in a stained-glass window? For years, that’s what I thought. Holiness felt like a distant, untouchable concept reserved for super-spiritual people, not for a regular person like me dealing with traffic, deadlines, and figuring out what’s for dinner. It seemed like a life drained of all fun, a long list of “don’ts.” But then I started digging into the Bible for myself, and what I found completely changed my perspective. It turns out, the biblical idea of holiness is anything but boring. So, let’s explore together what is holiness according to the Bible, and you might be surprised to find it’s more about freedom and purpose than you ever imagined.
This journey is about discovering a life that is set apart, vibrant, and deeply meaningful. Consequently, it redefines our relationship with God and the world around us.
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Key Takeaways
- Holiness Means “Set Apart”: The core meaning of holiness in the Bible is not about being “perfect” but about being “separated” or “set apart” from the ordinary for God’s special purpose.
- God is the Source: God’s holiness is His defining attribute. He is intrinsically pure, perfect, and separate from all sin and creation. Our holiness is always a reflection of His.
- It’s a Gift and a Journey: Through Jesus, believers are positionally made holy (a one-time gift). We then embark on a lifelong journey of progressive holiness (sanctification), becoming more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Holiness is Practical: It’s not an abstract idea. In fact, it impacts our daily thoughts, actions, words, and relationships. It’s about living out our “set apart” status in the real world.
- The Goal is Relationship, Not Rules: We pursue holiness not to earn salvation, but out of love and gratitude for the God who saved us. Therefore, it’s a response to His grace, not a requirement to get it.
What Does the Word ‘Holy’ Actually Mean in the Bible?
To truly grasp what holiness is, we have to go back to the original languages. It’s a bit like trying to understand a deep movie by only watching the trailer; you get the gist, but you miss the heart of the story. The main words used in the Bible are qadosh in Hebrew (Old Testament) and hagios in Greek (New Testament).
Interestingly, both words carry the same fundamental idea: to be set apart or separated.
Think of it this way. In my house, we have everyday plates we use for pizza on a Friday night. They get scratched and used without much thought. But we also have a set of fine china that belonged to my grandmother. It only comes out for Christmas or Thanksgiving. It is set apart for a special occasion. It’s not inherently “better” as a plate, but its purpose makes it different. It’s special.
That is the essence of holiness. Something is holy because it has been separated from common use for a sacred purpose. In the Old Testament, this applied to:
- Places: The Tabernacle was holy because God’s presence was there.
- Objects: The Ark of the Covenant was holy because it was dedicated to God.
- People: The priests were holy because they were set apart for God’s service.
So, when the Bible talks about holiness, it’s not primarily about a behavior, but about a position. It’s about being taken out of the “everyday” pile and placed in God’s “special purpose” collection. This is a game-changing place to start.
Why Is God Considered the Ultimate Standard of Holiness?
Now, this is where it gets really profound. While objects and people can be made holy, God simply is holy. It’s not just one of His characteristics, like being powerful or wise; it is the very essence of His being. It’s the attribute that seems to define all His other attributes.
When the prophet Isaiah had a vision of God in the temple, the angelic beings weren’t crying out “Mighty, mighty, mighty!” or “Loving, loving, loving!” They were crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). This triple repetition in Hebrew culture was the ultimate way of emphasizing something. In other words, God is holy to the absolute maximum degree.
But what does God’s holiness mean? It has two main aspects.
First, it means He is transcendent and separate from all of His creation. He is utterly unique, “otherly,” and exists in a category all by Himself. There is nothing and no one like Him. As Hannah prayed in 1 Samuel 2:2, “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
Second, it means He is morally perfect and pure. God is completely separate from sin. He has never had a sinful thought, a selfish motive, or an impure desire. He is pure light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). His justice is perfect, His love is pure, and His goodness is absolute. He is the standard by which everything else is measured.
Because God is the definition of holy, He is the only one who can make anything else holy.
If God Is So Perfectly Holy, How Can We Possibly Be Holy Too?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? If holiness means absolute perfection and separation from sin, and we are… well, not that, how is this even possible? I’ve wrestled with this for a long time. The gap seems impossibly wide. On my own, it absolutely is.
The good news of the Bible is that God Himself bridges that gap. The Bible presents our holiness in two amazing and distinct phases: positional holiness and progressive holiness. Understanding both is key to living a life free from guilt and full of purpose.
What is Positional Holiness?
Positional holiness is your standing before God, and it’s something that happens in an instant. The moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, God declares you holy.
It’s a legal declaration. Because Jesus lived a perfectly holy life and paid the penalty for our sin, His holiness is credited to our account. The Bible says, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10).
This is mind-blowing. It means that when God the Father looks at you, He doesn’t see your mistakes or your flaws. Instead, He sees the perfect righteousness of His Son, Jesus. You have been set apart, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. You are now a “saint” (hagios), a “holy one.” This isn’t something you earn; it is a gift you receive. It is your permanent, unshakeable position.
What is Progressive Holiness?
If we are already declared holy, then what’s the point of trying to live a holy life? This leads us to the second phase: progressive holiness, which is more commonly known as sanctification.
While your position is secure, your practice is a process.
Progressive holiness is the lifelong journey of becoming in practice what you already are in position. It’s the day-by-day process of the Holy Spirit changing you to become more like Jesus. As a result, your desires, thoughts, and actions begin to align more and more with God’s will.
I like to think of it like this: Positional holiness is being adopted by the King and given a new identity as a prince or princess. You are royalty the moment the papers are signed. Progressive holiness is the process of learning how to live like royalty—learning the family’s values, character, and purpose. It’s a journey, not a destination in this life. And crucially, it’s a journey we don’t take alone.
What Does Living a Holy Life Look Like in the 21st Century?
Okay, so holiness means being “set apart.” But set apart from what, and for what? This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s easy to talk about theology, but how does this change the way I live on a Tuesday afternoon when I’m stuck in traffic and someone cuts me off?
Living a holy life is less about following a rigid set of rules and more about a heart that is oriented toward God in every area of life.
How Does Holiness Affect Our Thoughts and Minds?
It all starts here, in our minds. The battle for a holy life is often won or lost in our thought life. The Bible tells us to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This is an active process. It means we have a choice about what we meditate on.
I used to have a huge problem with anxiety. My mind would race with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. It was exhausting. A turning point for me was taking Philippians 4:8 seriously: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
It felt awkward at first, but I started intentionally replacing anxious thoughts with things I knew were true from Scripture—that God is in control, that He loves me, that He has a plan. Slowly but surely, it began to change my entire outlook. Holiness, in this case, meant setting my mind apart for truth instead of letting it run wild with fear.
How Should Holiness Shape Our Actions and Behaviors?
Our actions naturally flow from our thoughts and the state of our hearts. If our hearts are set apart for God, our actions will begin to reflect that. This isn’t about “faking it ’til you make it,” but about allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives.
The Bible gives us a great list of what this looks like in practice. For instance:
- Love: Actively willing the good of others, even our enemies.
- Joy: A deep-seated gladness that isn’t dependent on circumstances.
- Peace: An inner calm and trust in God, even in the midst of chaos.
- Patience: Enduring difficult situations and people without complaint.
- Kindness: A genuine goodness and generosity toward others.
These aren’t behaviors we can just drum up with more effort. In fact, they are the result of surrendering our will to the Spirit’s leading. It’s about choosing to say “no” to our selfish impulses and “yes” to God’s way.
Is Being Holy Just About a List of ‘Don’ts’?
This is such an important question because, for many, this is their biggest hang-up with holiness. They see it as a restrictive lifestyle focused on avoiding a long list of forbidden things. And while holiness certainly does involve turning away from sin, that is only half the picture.
Fundamentally, holiness is about turning toward something far better. It’s about being set apart for God.
It’s not just about not lying; it’s about being set apart for speaking truth and life. It’s not just about avoiding lust; it’s about being set apart for pure, committed, and loving relationships. It’s not just about avoiding greed; it’s about being set apart for generosity and stewardship. Every “don’t” in the Bible is there to protect a greater “do.” It’s about clearing out the junk from our lives to make room for God to fill us with His goodness.
Can We Achieve Holiness Through Our Own Effort?
If you get nothing else from this article, please get this: you cannot make yourself holy through sheer willpower. I’ve tried. It always ends in one of two ways: pride (when I feel like I’m succeeding) or despair (when I inevitably fail).
Holiness is a work of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who changes us from the inside out.
Think of it like a sailboat. The sailor can’t make the boat move. He can hoist the sails, set the rudder, and point the boat in the right direction. But without the wind, the boat is dead in the water. Our job is to “hoist the sails”—to read the Bible, to pray, to be in community with other believers, to obey what we know to be right. But it is the Holy Spirit who is the wind that fills the sails and moves us forward.
Our role is one of active surrender, not passive waiting or frantic striving. We participate with the Spirit in our own transformation. Therefore, every victory is His victory in us.
Why Should We Even Bother Pursuing Holiness?
With all the pressures of life, why should pursuing holiness be a priority? It can feel like just one more thing to add to our already overwhelming to-do lists. The motivation for holiness is crucial because, without the right “why,” the “what” becomes a heavy burden.
Is it to Earn Salvation?
Let’s be crystal clear: absolutely not. Salvation is a free gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We don’t pursue holiness to get saved; we pursue it because we are saved. It is the natural response of a heart that has been rescued and transformed. Trying to earn salvation through holy living is like a marathon runner trying to pay for his gold medal after he has already won the race.
Then What is the Real Reason?
The true motivation for holiness flows from a place of love and gratitude.
First and foremost, we pursue holiness because we love God. When you love someone, you want to please them. You want to honor them with your life. Our pursuit of holiness is an act of worship, a way of saying, “God, I love you, and I want my life to reflect your goodness.”
Second, we pursue holiness because it reflects God’s character to a watching world. We are His ambassadors. When we live lives that are set apart, it puts God’s goodness and love on display. It gives people a small glimpse of what He is like.
Finally, we pursue holiness for our own good! God’s commands are not arbitrary rules meant to stifle our fun. They are like a loving Father’s instructions designed for our protection and flourishing. Living in sin leads to bondage, shame, and destruction. In contrast, living a holy life leads to freedom, joy, and peace. For a deeper academic look into this process, Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology offers great resources on what is sanctification.
The call to holiness is found in 1 Peter 1:15-16, which says, “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” This isn’t a threat; it’s an invitation. It’s an invitation to share in the very life and character of God Himself.
Holiness isn’t about becoming a stuffy, stained-glass saint. It’s about becoming the person you were created to be—fully alive, fully free, and fully dedicated to the God who loves you. It’s a journey, often a messy one, but it is the most rewarding journey you will ever take. It’s the path to a life that is truly sacred.
Frequently Asked Questions – What Is Holiness According to the Bible
Does holiness mean we have to be perfect or hide from the world?
Holiness does not mean perfection or hiding from the world. Jesus was joyful and loving, was involved with people, and still lived a holy life. True holiness makes us more loving, joyful, and engaged with others.
Can we become holy on our own, or does God help us?
We cannot become holy by our own efforts alone. Holiness is a gift from God through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit helps us grow in holiness throughout our lives.
Why does the Bible command us to be holy if God is already holy?
God commands us to be holy because He is holy, and He calls us to reflect His character. Being holy is about growing to be more like Him and showing His love and purity to others.
How is God’s holiness different from human goodness?
God’s holiness is perfect and pure, completely separate from sin, like the bright sun. Human goodness is limited and imperfect, similar to a small candle, showing that we need Jesus to be truly holy.
What does holiness mean in the Bible?
Holiness in the Bible means being set apart or separated for God, like special dishes for a holiday. It involves being dedicated to God’s purposes, whether in objects, days, or people.
