Going Home: Separate Yourself

2 Corinthians 6:17

“Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.’”

One of the most important things we must do to stay out of prison after we have been released is to separate ourselves totally and permanently from certain people, places and things. In fact, this process must begin while we are still incarcerated.

I have also heard it expressed this way, “we must change our playground, playthings and people with whom we used to play.” Is that familiar to you?

In this passage (verses 14-18) Paul urges believers not to form binding relationships with unbelievers because it can weaken our own commitment to God’s integrity, character and standards. This does not mean we are to totally isolate ourselves from unbelievers.

As believers, we should be active in our witness to unbelievers, but we must be careful not to lock ourselves into personal and business relationships with them. Imagine standing on a stool reaching down for an unbeliever. It is much easier for the enemy to use them to pull us down than it is for us to pull them up.

If we are single, all this becomes even more critical as we consider a life partner. (see 2 Corinthians 6:14). Wait on God to bring the right person.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Tell your Heavenly Father you want to start life over in Christ Jesus by surrounding yourself with Godly people, pursuing the right kinds of activities, and habitually going to the right places. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and wisdom.
Separate yourself.

Dive Deeper: Study 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4-5, 8-9: 1 John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:1-2; John 15:19; Romans 8:5-7; 1 Peter 1:14-17; 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 Peter 4:4-5; 1 John 5:19, 21; Hebrews 12:14.