Separate Yourselves

Numbers 16:21

Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Separation is critical to the Christian life. The doctrine of separation is critical to our zeal for God and our ability to live holy lives that will keep us from sin. Sadly, we have too many people who do not care about living a separated life. They would rather mingle with the world and play through life, not realizing they are grooming the next generation to live in it. The Scriptures command us to separate ourselves from several people. Let me share with you the people we are to separate from, in no particular order of importance.

First, you are to separate from the critic. God told Moses to separate himself and the congregation from the sons of Korah, who criticized Moses and Aaron for leading the children of Israel. God knew that their critical spirit would spread throughout the congregation if these critical people mingled with the rest of the congregation. You cannot spend time with critical people, and it not affect your spirit towards your church, your pastor, or the Lord's work. Critical people are like an infectious disease; they spread their critical attitude for the purpose of getting people to follow them. When you get around a person who is critical, you must separate from them if you don't want them to affect your spirit. Being critical is not about trying to correct things; it is about criticizing things because of your selfish attitude of doing things your way. You will always do yourself a big favor by learning to separate from the critic.

Second, we are to withdraw ourselves from those who are busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 says, For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Do not get around the people who meddle with others so they can get the “scoop” on them. Withdraw yourself from the one who tends to know all the bad about everyone; they are a busybody. The busybody will always destroy your spirit and your ability to serve God in the spirit that He would want you to serve Him.

Third, we are to withdraw ourselves from those who do not walk according to the traditions handed to us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 says, Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. Our heritage is important, and what those before us taught us of how to build our churches or live our lives, we should do wholeheartedly. God commands us to separate or withdraw ourselves from those who do things differently from us. Those who used to be among us who have stopped doing what we have been taught to do are not to be followed by any believer, for they will turn you from your heritage to a worldly way of living and trying to serve God.

Fourth, we are to separate from those who are unequally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…. You cannot run with those whose direction is not right. If you want to serve God successfully, you must never allow yourself in a relationship where you are yoked up with a person whose direction is different than what you are going or what you have been taught to go. Your direction is critical to your position. If we do not learn to separate from those who are directionally wrong, we will become who they are. You cannot go the wrong direction and end up in the right place.