Note: All Scripture quotations found in this article are from the text of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible.
Separation is very important for the Christian. To be separated is to withdraw from the world, the Devil, sin and evil influences. We are to conform to the word of God, instead of comforting to the world.
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
The word "world" in the Bible refers to people, the inhabited earth and the world system. This world that is controlled by Satan consists of things like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
The Bible forbids believers to marry unbelievers. If you are a Christian then you should look for another Christian of the opposite sex to marry. Marrying someone that is unsaved will often hinder you from serving the Lord. God is the author of love and love is only true when it agrees with the word of God.
2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
It is not a good idea to have close fellowship with people that are worldly. This is because having friends that are worldly will often result to us conforming to them whether we realize it or not. Birds of a feather flock together. We should be close enough to the world to witness to them, but far enough away so that they will not effect our walk with God.
Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
Proverbs 13:20 "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
We are to be separate from people that preach false doctrine. When someone tells you that they prefer a new version "bible" that attacks major doctrines like the deity of Christ, the virgin birth and the Blood of Christ, you should withdraw yourself from them (1 Tim. 6:5). The whole ecumenical movement that wants to bring everyone together from different religions and denominations is of the Devil. Be friends with like-minded believers.
Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
As Christians before we do anything there are some questions we could ask to see if what we are going to do is right.
1. Will what I do bring glory to God? (Col. 3:17)
2. Can I ask God to bless this?
3. If Christ were to come back right now, would I like for Him to find me doing this?
4. Is this a good example to others? If what you are going to do could cause someone to stumble then avoid it (1 Cor. 8:13).
5. Am I doing this for myself or am I doing this because God's word told me to do so? Is what I am doing acceptable according to the Bible? Saying, "I feel like the Lord wants me to do this" is a horrible excuse to do something. The Charismatics continually use that faulty logic. Make sure it lines up with the Bible.
Romans 14:7 "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."
Some people wonder what all actives we should separate from and where to draw the line. Your questions about what actives are wrong and right can be solved with three simple rules.
1. Separate from anything that tries to destroy your faith in the Bible, such as "Christian" schools that attack God's Holy word.
2. Separate from anything that could destroy your testimony. A Christian's testimony should be one of the most precious things in life to them. Stay true to your beliefs and convictions, no matter what.
3. Separate from actives that could lead you into sin. If playing cards would eventually lead you to gamble then do not play them.
Take a look at your life, what you do and who you are friends with. Do you believe you are submitting to the word of God like you should? Do you believe you are bearing your cross and yielding the Holy Spirit like you should? Do you actually fear God or do you just tell people you do? Do not waste your time trying to argue with me about what is right and wrong. Your problem is that you want to do what you want to do and you do not like anyone telling you that what you do is wrong. You have no respect or fear towards God.
We should separate ourselves from anything that could cause our body physical, mental or emotional harm. Remember that our bodies are not our own, they belong to God, so we should use them for His glory alone. As believers, we have the Holy Ghost inside of us, so we need to act like it.
1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
Another thing to ask yourself to figure out what is wrong or right is to ask yourself if Jesus would do it? Would Jesus smoke? Would He spend his time listening to music like Rock and Rap just because it had the words "God" and "Jesus" in it? I am not going to say what I believe about it. I want you to think and pray about it.
If you do not want to be God's enemy then the smart thing to do is not to be friends with the world. Whos friend do you want to be? Jesus, who loved you enough to die for all your filthy sins? Or the world who uses you and tries to get you to sin against God while leaving you in the end.
James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
When we embrace the Bible, live separated lives and stand against sin, the world will be against us. The world's view of a Christian is someone that is "nice", does not judge anyone (1 Cor. 2:15) and holds hands with everyone. Many Christians have been deceived into thinking that is actually how they should act. Instead of being what the world thinks you should be try being what the Bible tells you to be as a Christian. Do not get me wrong, we are to be nice and caring, but obey the verses that say to rebuke sin and then see if the world thinks you are "nice". There definitions of "nice" and "love" are far from what the Bible says.
John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
As Christians we should be completely different from the world. We are called to be a peculiar people, strangers and pilgrims on this earth. When the lost see us they need to see someone who is conformed to the word of God, not the world's culture. Do not give in and conform to the world, deny your flesh as a child of God rather than giving into sin.
1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Hebrews 11:13 "..they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Hebrews 11:25 "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"
Our affections should be set on things in heaven, not in this world. We should be working towards eternal rewards in Heaven, not temporary rewards on this earth that will pass away.
Colossians 3:2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Matthew 6:20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Where is your treasure? It is easy to say "in Heaven", but is it really? Do you really love the Bible and God or do you just say that because it is the right to say? If you meant it then you would not love the world or the things in it. It is time to pick a side. God or the world.
Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
