COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 6:17
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 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.”
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 52:11; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:11; James 4:4; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Revelation 18:4; 1 John 2:15-17
Description: Coming out and being separate means deliberately turning away from practices, influences and relationships that contradict God's holiness and choosing a life wholly devoted to Him.
INTRODUCTION
God's call to His people has always included a call to separation. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul draws from the Old Testament Scriptures and declares God's command: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” This is not a call to hatred or isolation from unbelievers, but a call to distinguish ourselves from sinful practices and anything that competes with our devotion to God.
A believer cannot live effectively for Christ while deliberately embracing the values and practices that oppose Christ. We are called to be in the world, but we must not allow the world to control our hearts. Separation begins with recognising that we belong to God and that our lives must reflect His holiness.
Coming out requires courage and sometimes difficult decisions. There may be habits to abandon, associations to reconsider, places to leave, attitudes to change and compromises to reject. Yet God's command comes with a promise: “I will receive you.” When we separate ourselves from defilement in obedience to God, we position ourselves for deeper fellowship with Him.
1. GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE TO SEPARATION
Separation is not merely an Old Testament principle. Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to distinguish themselves from what contradicts His character.
a. You Are Called to Be Holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) — God's people are commanded to be holy because He Himself is holy.
b. God Wants a Distinct People (Leviticus 20:26) — Israel was called to be separated from the nations because they belonged to God.
c. Do Not Follow the World's Pattern (Romans 12:2) — Believers must resist conformity to the values of this world.
d. Walk as Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8) — Those who belong to Christ should live differently from the darkness around them.
Biblical Example: Daniel determined not to defile himself with the king's food and maintained his devotion to God in Babylon (Daniel 1:8-16).
2. SEPARATION BEGINS WITH THE HEART
True separation is not merely physical. A person can leave a sinful environment physically while continuing to carry its values in the heart.
a. Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23) — What controls the heart eventually influences the whole life.
b. Set Your Affection on God (Colossians 3:1-2) — Believers are called to focus their hearts and minds on heavenly things.
c. Love God Above the World (1 John 2:15) — The believer cannot make love for the world the controlling affection of the heart.
d. Keep Your Heart Undivided (Psalm 86:11) — We should ask God for a heart completely devoted to Him.
Biblical Example: Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly even when the majority of Israel chose unbelief (Numbers 14:6-9, 24).
3. COME OUT FROM SINFUL INFLUENCES
God calls believers to recognise influences that continually pull them towards sin and to establish godly boundaries.
a. Avoid Evil Company (1 Corinthians 15:33) — Wrong associations can corrupt good character.
b. Do Not Walk in Ungodly Counsel (Psalm 1:1) — We must be careful about whose advice and lifestyle we continually embrace.
c. Reject Sinful Participation (Ephesians 5:11) — Believers should not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness.
d. Choose Wise Companions (Proverbs 13:20) — Walking with wise people contributes to wisdom.
Biblical Example: Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab brought him into a dangerous situation, demonstrating the consequences that can come from ungodly alliances (2 Chronicles 18:1-3, 31-32).
4. DO NOT TOUCH THE UNCLEAN THING
God's command is not merely “come out”; He also says, “touch not the unclean thing.” We must refuse deliberate participation in what God calls sinful.
a. Flee Immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) — Scripture commands believers to flee sexual immorality rather than play with temptation.
b. Resist Every Form of Evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) — We should abstain from every form of evil.
c. Cleanse Yourself (2 Corinthians 7:1) — God's people are called to cleanse themselves from defilement.
d. Pursue Righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22) — We must actively pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
Biblical Example: Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife rather than allowing temptation to become sin (Genesis 39:7-12).
5. SEPARATION DOES NOT MEAN ISOLATION
The command to separate from sin does not mean withdrawing completely from society. Christians are called to remain witnesses in the world while refusing to participate in its sinful practices.
a. Be a Light in the World (Matthew 5:14-16) — Light must shine where darkness exists.
b. Reach the Lost (Matthew 28:19-20) — Christ commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations.
c. Maintain a Good Testimony (1 Peter 2:12) — Holy conduct can influence unbelievers to glorify God.
d. Do Not Participate in Darkness (Ephesians 5:11) — Contact with unbelievers is not the same as participation in their sinful works.
Biblical Example: Jesus entered the home of Zacchaeus and brought salvation to him without participating in his former sinful lifestyle (Luke 19:1-10).
6. SEPARATION MAY REQUIRE COURAGEOUS DECISIONS
There are moments when obedience to God requires us to make difficult choices. We must value God's approval above human acceptance.
a. Choose God First (Matthew 6:33) — God's Kingdom must remain our highest priority.
b. Obey God Rather Than People (Acts 5:29) — Human pressure must never override God's commands.
c. Count the Cost (Luke 14:27-33) — Following Christ requires genuine commitment.
d. Stand Firm in Faith (Ephesians 6:13) — Believers must stand even when they face opposition.
Biblical Example: Moses chose to identify with God's people rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures and privileges of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-27).
7. SEPARATION BRINGS DEEPER FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
God's command to separate is followed by a wonderful promise: “I will receive you.” Separation from defilement creates room for deeper fellowship with God.
a. God Receives Those Who Draw Near (James 4:8) — When we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us.
b. God Dwells Among His People (2 Corinthians 6:16) — God desires intimate fellowship with His people.
c. Holiness Enables Fellowship (Psalm 24:3-4) — Those who approach God's holy hill must have clean hands and a pure heart.
d. God Becomes Our Father (2 Corinthians 6:18) — God promises a fatherly relationship with those who belong wholly to Him.
Biblical Example: Enoch walked with God and maintained such fellowship with Him that Scripture records his extraordinary relationship with God (Genesis 5:22-24).
8. COME OUT COMPLETELY AND LIVE FOR GOD
God's call is not merely to leave something behind; it is a call to enter a deeper life of devotion, holiness and service.
a. Present Yourself to God (Romans 12:1) — Our entire lives should be offered to God as living sacrifices.
b. Put Off the Old Life (Ephesians 4:22-24) — We must put away the former way of life and embrace the new life in Christ.
c. Walk in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) — Salvation should produce a transformed manner of living.
d. Follow Christ Daily (Luke 9:23) — Discipleship requires continual self-denial and commitment to Christ.
Biblical Example: When the people of Ephesus received the Gospel, many publicly renounced their former occult practices and demonstrated that their conversion had produced genuine separation from their old way of life (Acts 19:18-20).
CONCLUSION
God's command remains clear: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” He calls us to separate ourselves from sin, ungodly influences and every practice that contradicts His Word. This separation is not hatred of people; it is holiness of life. We must love people enough to reach them while refusing to participate in what destroys them.
There is a promise attached to obedience: “I will receive you.” God desires fellowship with a people who belong wholly to Him. Therefore, let us come out from every form of compromise, refuse every unclean thing and give ourselves completely to Christ. May our lives clearly demonstrate that we belong to God.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me grace to separate myself from everything that displeases You, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, cleanse my heart from every sinful desire and ungodly affection, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from every relationship that continually pulls me away from You, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, give me courage to reject every form of compromise, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to guard my heart against ungodly influences, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me strength to flee every form of temptation and defilement, in Jesus name.
7. Father, help me to remain a light in the midst of a dark world, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, let my separation from sin bring me into deeper fellowship with You, in Jesus name.
9. Father, make me completely devoted to Christ in every area of my life, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let my life continually demonstrate that I belong to You, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall receive grace to separate yourself from every form of compromise.
2. You shall not be controlled by ungodly influences.
3. Every sinful habit that has held you shall lose its grip over your life.
4. You shall have courage to reject everything that contradicts God's Word.
5. Your heart shall remain pure and fully devoted to the Lord.
6. You shall walk as a light in the midst of darkness.
7. You shall not return to the bondage of your former life.
8. God's presence shall become increasingly evident in your life.
9. You shall enjoy deeper fellowship with God as you walk in holiness.
10. You shall live as a vessel set apart for God's glory and divine purpose.
