Separation

LESSONS ON CHRISTIAN LIVING
SEPARATION
INTRODUCTION
Prepared from notes taken from Lesson of "The Victorious or Spirit-Filled Life,” by J.
Irvin Overholtzer, and other notes.
I 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."
These are hard words, yet as Christians we must face them daily.
Some extremists trying to obey them go away in seclusion and live in monasteries.
We realize that this is wrong, but do we know where to draw the line?
L THE MEANING OF THE WORD "WORLD" IN SCRIPTURE
In John 3:16 we are told that God loved the world and gave His Son to save it.
Here the word "world" refers to the people— the sinners that inhabit the world.
Jesus loved the world of sinners and we Christians are also to love the sinners.
The Apostle John explains the meaning of the word "world" in I John 2:16, the very
next verse after telling us not to love it. "World" means "the lust of the flesh" and
the "lust of the eyes" and the "pride of life."
The word "world" means this present world system which is controlled by
Satan.
There is no allusion to leaving the material blessings of this life.
These blessings God giveth liberally and richly for all to enjoy.
I Tim. 6:17, " . but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
This would include innocent laughter, the play of children, clean social life,
healthful recreation, the beauty of nature and the love of flowers.
These cannot be unscriptural, worldly or sinful.
To consider these wrong would make one an ascetic.
Jesus enjoyed nature.

He spoke of plants, seeds and trees.
Jesus' social contacts were broad—
with the family at Bethany;
eating in the Pharisee's home, Luke 7:36;
the marriage in Cana, John 2;
resting in a quiet place, Mark 6:31.
In fact, the Saviour was accused of being a gluttonous person,
Matt. 11:16-19, "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say,
Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and
sinners. . ."
The problem of where to draw rules on what is right and wrong is very,
very difficult.
II. MATTERS IN WHICH WE CAN BE DEFINITE
1. Marriage between a believer and an unbeliever is forbidden,

2 Cor. 6:14-17, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
This is a definite Scriptural principle that changes not with the passing ages.
2. Separate from all unrighteousness,

II Cor 6:14, .. " for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? "
Some would include business partnership between believers and unbelievers as being
forbidden by this verse.
3. Separate from all works of darkness,
2 Cor. 6:14, " and what communion light with darkness?"
The Christian is indwelt by Christ.the Light of the World
4. Separate from Belial, the old devil,

II Cor. 6:15, "And what concord hath Christ with Belial?"
The Christian is indwelt by the Son of God.
5. Separate from infidels,

II Cor. 6:15, ". . . or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"
We must separate for we can have no fellowship.
6. Separate from idols,

II Cor. 6:16, "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?"
A Christian is God's temple, indwelt by the Lord Himself.
7. Separate from false teachers that dispute about primary doctrines,

I Tim. 6:5, ". . . from such withdraw thyself."
See I Tim. 1:4;
I Tim. 4:7;
Gal. 3:2.
8. Separate from heretics,
II John 9-11. Do not allow such in the home.
9. Separate from all known forms of sin and immorality (liquor, etc.).
I Pet. 1:16.
III. MATTERS IN WHICH WE CANNOT BE DEFINITE
1. Time. How much time ought we to give to worship, business, study, family and
pleasure? To give excess time to any one field could be entirely wrong in relation
to the entire day or life for which we are responsible.
2. Pleasure generally pleasant, innocent and enjoyable, but some types are
harmful.
3. Sport. Most sports are beneficial and healthful, but one must keep balanced
here.
4. Worldly amusements—dancing, cards, theatre, magazines, betel nut, painting,
modern styles of dress and hairdo, hobbies, television, fiestas, clubs, dating.
These things are not mentioned in the Scriptures, so there are no specific
instructions.
IV. THREE BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW

If a certain point is troubling us, apply these three rules.
Let it be very personal.
1. I must separate from anything that is designed to overthrow my faith in God,

such as infidel or atheistic clubs, Communist organizations, etc.
2. I must separate from anything that would destroy my testimony.
My testimony is one of the most priceless things that I possess here on earth
.
3. I must separate from anything that would debase my morals and lead me to sin.
If cards lead me to gambling, then I must leave them.
If dancing causes me to have impure and unholy desires, then to me that thing
becomes sinful.
V. SOME GENERAL RULES TO OFFER
1. If my action causes my brother to stumble, then I must not do it.

I Cor. 8:13, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."
Paul was willing to deny himself the harmful pleasure if it hindered his testimony.
2. Seek guidance from God by prayer and Bible study regarding a particular issue.
Strive always to have a conscience void of offence before God and man,
Acts 24:16.
3. Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,

Col. 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God."
Can I do this thing (chew betel nut, dress like Hollywood) to God's glory?
If the answer after prayer is "No," then that thing becomes sin to me,
James 4:17.
4. In all things use sanctified common sense.

God is a reasonable Being and desires to reason with you on the matter.
Isa. 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together."
5. I must separate from anything that harms my body—physically, mentally or

emotionally.
I Cor. 6:19,20, "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? For ye are bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are
God's."
6 Is it pleasing to Jesus Christ? Would Jesus do this thing? If He woul not do it,
then I must not do it
I Pet. 2:21, "Christ. . leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."
7. Will it strengthen my testimony?
8. Will it weaken my testimony?
VI. SOME HELPFUL SCRIPTURES
Rom. 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind."
This is the plain command of Scripture.
Jas. 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."
Heb. 11:13, "... confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Think of Moses. Heb. 11:25, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
Think of Demas. II Tim. 4:10, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this . present
world, and is departed."
II Cor. 6:17, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."
CONCLUSION
Let us be reasonable and not judge others harshly.
To his own master he standeth.
Let us not separate with an air of superiority.
Let us separate with meekness.
Remember, separation is twofold:
(1) from sin, and (2) unto God.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
581. Explain the conflict between John 3:16 and I John 2:15 (re: loving the world).
582. Are there certain aspects of the world that we may love ? Explain.
583. List the 8 things from which saints are to separate.
584. Give 4 illustrations of unequal yokes.
585. Suggest a balanced schedule of time for a father of a family for one week
covering such items as worship, business, study, family, pleasure, eating and
sleeping.
586. Give 3 basic rules to follow in deciding whether a thing is permissible or not.
587. What does I Cor. 8:13, teach about innocent or doubtful pleasures?
588. What can we learn about separation from I Cor. 6:19,20?
589. Contrasting Heb. 11:25, and II Tim. 4:10, what do we learn about separation?
590. What are the two parts to remember in separation?

Separation

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LESSONS ON CHRISTIAN LIVING

L THE MEANING OF THE WORD "WORLD" IN SCRIPTURE

Jesus enjoyed nature.

1. Marriage between a believer and an unbeliever is forbidden,

2. Separate from all unrighteousness,

The Christian is indwelt by Christ.the Light of the World

4. Separate from Belial, the old devil,

5. Separate from infidels,

6. Separate from idols,

7. Separate from false teachers that dispute about primary doctrines,

III. MATTERS IN WHICH WE CANNOT BE DEFINITE

IV. THREE BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW

1. I must separate from anything that is designed to overthrow my faith in God,

V. SOME GENERAL RULES TO OFFER

1. If my action causes my brother to stumble, then I must not do it.

3. Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,

4. In all things use sanctified common sense.

5. I must separate from anything that harms my body—physically, mentally or

7. Will it strengthen my testimony?

8. Will it weaken my testimony?

VI. SOME HELPFUL SCRIPTURES

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