Let There Be Separation from the World

I pray that when you see me, you do not just see a girl with long hair that wears skirts. While I do have long hair and I do wear skirts, there is so much more to it and to me than that! There is a lot of discussion about what is necessary and what is unnecessary in living a holy lifestyle unto God. This blog is not posted to be a source of debate. I am not throwing stones if you believe differently. My intent in posting this blog is to provide insight into the revelation of separation from the world that God has given me. When you think about the world, what are your first thoughts? Yours may be different from mine. My thoughts of the world is that the world has a different language. The language and lifestyle has a tendency to be and can be selfish, unthankful, and materialistic. Some people of the world are all about me, myself, and I. What is in it for me? How does this benefit me? There is a mindset of all about self. The language is "This will make me happy." The world is also materialistic in obtaining the nicest and best of things. Money and prestige are priority. The goal is to have more, to get something bigger and better. People work endless hours 7 days a week and sacrifice family time to obtain "more". More what? What is it for? Is it for a position? Is it greed? Is it for self or the benefit of others? The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:2-7

" For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Is this not the day and time that we live in? People do things because of personal feelings not thinking or caring how these decisions will affect others. The Bible calls us to be separate from the world. The Lord is not calling us to be hermits. He is calling us to be separate. We have to live in this world, but we do not have be like it or do things like it! We can do things differently. Our ways are to be different from the world. We are called to live differently. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

The Lord has a certain way that He would like us to live. He has a plan! He has called us to do things differently!

Romans 12:2 also tells us

"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."

The first place that we are to be separate from the world is in our minds. Our thought processes must be different than that of the world. What seems wise to man is foolish is God's eyes. What seems foolish to man is wise in God's eyes. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:27 says

" But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."

Remember, God's ways are not our ways, they are higher than our ways. That is why it is so vital that we study the word and ask the Lord to provide revelation. We must make sure to pray that God opens our ears to hear His word, open our eyes to see His word, open our minds to understand His word, open our hearts to receive His word, and the ability to apply His word. The next place that needs to be separate from the world is our hearts. Our heart must be in line with His heart! God desires clean hearts! Our spirit must connect to the Spirit! This is good and acceptable to God. That's why David prayed in Psalms 51:10

" Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Having a clean heart separates God's desires and worldly desires. A lifestyle of separation comes next. I have to make sure that my mind and heart are where they need to be in God for my lifestyle to be separate from the world. My mind and heart will affect my attitude. My attitude has to be selfless, not selfish. It also has to be positive. The things that I do need to be for the benefit of others. It is not so much about my works, it is about my purpose. My purpose was decided before the world even began. My purpose cannot be fixated on the things of this world, but things to come from another world. 2 Timothy 1:9 says

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

Part of God's plan for me is modesty. Modesty is something I do. I believe in it. I respect it. I live it. I'm teaching my children about modesty. When I was younger and people would ask me why I do this or that or why I do not do this or that, I would reply "My religion makes me do it." That response makes me cringe today. That is such a negative response. Who would want to experience Jesus with me with that answer? That response gives the impression that there are a ton of rules to abide by. If you are reading this and I gave you that response when I was younger, please forgive me. I was too ashamed that I did not know the reasons back then. I did not have revelation. First off, religion is man made. Revelation is God given! God has given me revelation through the years. I have studied the Word of God and prayed about things that were unclear to me. For a long time, I did things out of obedience, which God honored. However, there is such a blessing when actions are done from knowledge and revelation. It is something that no one can take from you or change your thought process about because you know what God has spoken to you. If you are giving that answer now, I urge to study the Word of God and see what God has to say about modesty. If you're asked the questions, you can just say "I do not have all the answers, but I am going to study about it and let you know." There is nothing wrong with that response and you are not giving your beliefs a negative tone. Secondly, these are not rules. They are guard rails. Guard rails keep you safe when driving on a bridge. I would not want to drive on a bridge with no guard rails in fear of falling off the bridge. I am walking through life with guard rails. They help me to stay on the straight and narrow. The things that I practice are to protect me and keep me in close relationship with God. They are also ways to stay separate from the world. Too many times, we focus on the shame of things instead of the glory of things. For example, a lot of people ask me why I have long hair? My answer now is that 1 Corinthians 11:15 says

" But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."

1 Corinthians 11:10 also states

" For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

My long hair is a glory according to the Word of God! It gives me power and authority over the angels. The angels listen when I pray. I think that is so cool! I imagine sometimes that they are just hanging out around me until they hear a cry or plea of help. It's like having an umbrella of protection at all times. My family falls under that umbrella. My hair is not only for me, it is for the protection of my family. When we sleep at night, I ask every angel under the sound of my voice to encompass every window and door to protect my children throughout the night. I also pray before school each morning a hedge of protection around them. One morning, my kids and I were in a head on collision. It was God and His angels that we were able to walk away with no serious injuries. You may question is this necessary? For me, it is. I have too many testimonies to say that it is not necessary. Some other questions that I get asked are why do you wear skirts or why do you not wear a lot of jewelry? My answer is that my body is a temple, it is not my own. I am to dress modestly. The term "modest" in terms of dress is dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention. There are parts of my body that are for God's eyes and my husband's eyes only. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:9

" In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array."

Another thing that I may do differently is my manner of conversation. 1 Peter 1:15 says

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

Telling dirty jokes, partaking in indecent conversations, gossiping, or saying words that do not give God glory are things that I try to be separate on. Am I perfect? No. Do I make mistakes? Yes. Does my mouth sometimes say things before I actually think it through? Unfortunately, yes. Am I judging you if you do these things? No. However, I try to be intentional with my decisions, knowing that they do not just affect me, but others. Whatever I do, whether it be the music I listen to, the places that I do or do not go, the things that I do not drink, the movies that I do not watch, the clothes that I wear, or the words that I say, I do for the glory of God. I do not do it because I am forced to do it. I do it out of sacrifice to the One who sacrificed all for me. I do it to be holy and acceptable unto him. My lifestyle and purpose is to bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says

"Whatsoever ye do, do all for the glory of God."

I have to make sure that my mind and heart are pure and holy in all that I do. I can do and use all these guard rails but if my heart is not in it for the right reasons, if I do not have understanding as to the "Why?" of my lifestyle, I am not living to my full potential in Christ and I am not giving God the glory that He deserves. Isaiah 29:13 states

"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men."

Let There Be Separation from the World. Do not be ashamed to do things differently. Do not be ashamed to do the unnecessary things. What is necessary for you may be unnecessary to someone else. Do not walk through life without guard rails. People will not always understand. Knowledge is key. Know the "Why?" Pray for understanding, a clean heart, and the right spirit on the topic of separation from the world. Focus on His glory! God will not lead you astray. He has a plan! His plan is 1 Peter 1:16

" Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Again, this blog is not for a debate. It is not to throw stones. It is not to cast judgement. It is not even for what is necessary or what is unnecessary in lifestyle. It is for the edification of saints. It is for clarification and a deeper understanding of the "Why?" for when questions are asked. This is what God gave me. This was my revelation for separation. This is my language. This is my "Why." This is what I try to live by each day. So, I pray that when you see me now, you do not just see long hair and skirts. I pray that you see the bigger picture. I pray that you see the glory of God. I will continue to study and pray for revelation as I pray that you do the same for you. The Bible tells us to seek out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We have to dig deeper. We have to do more than what we have been doing. God is calling us to a deeper depth of knowledge and understanding in Him as well as to go higher in His ways. How are we going to know His ways if we do not study the Word of God? How are we going to obtain revelation if we are not willing to pray and fast about topics and issues that we find unclear? Ephesians 1:17-19 says

" That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."

Prayer:

Thank you for this day God. Thank you for the opportunity to bring glory to you today. I pray that you would bless this blog and those who read it. I pray that this blog would be a tool to help us all have better understanding of what you desire from us. Help us to be who you have called us to be and to do what you have called us to do. You have called us to be separate from the world. Help us to do that. Help us to apply the things that we hear and read in the Word into our lives. Help us to live selflessly. Help us to think of others more than self. Help us to not be greedy with time, talents, or money. Help us to not be ashamed to be different and live differently. Help us to live with a boldness knowing who you are and who we are in you. I pray that everything we do is done for your glory! Help us to continue to study your Word. Help us to have pure minds, clean hearts, and an understanding of your Word. Take us deeper! Take us higher. Show us your glory. Show us what is necessary and unnecessary to live a life that pleasing and acceptable unto you. Help us to be separate from the world. In Jesus Name!

Quote:

Modesty is a virtue that shows love to others and brings glory to God through appropriate dress. - Tim Challies