MAY 5

1 Peter 1:15, 16
Memorise 1 Thess 5:22
“Abstain from all appearance of evil”

WHAT IS PERSONAL SEPARATION?

It is definitely easier to fashion yourself according to the trends of the world (fashion, celebrities, technology, television and film) than to go against them. They are so appealing, everyone is doing them and they appeal to our sinful and carnal nature. But, as Christians, we know we should not. Instead, we should be holy, as our Heavenly Father has called us to be holy. Christ, and the life He led should be what we fashion ourselves after. All manner of conversation means that every single part of our lives should be clean and pure, not just our verbal conversations. In everything we say and do, we must be holy. This is a command and the source of this command is none other than the Holy Bible itself. We must obey, if we are His children.

Sin is an obstacle to holiness and it should not be underestimated. Make no mistake: sin will contaminate a Christian life. Hence, personal separation is separation from sin. This is probably the most difficult of the different aspects of separation to live out. It is something you have to consciously do every single day. It is a difficult walk, and a struggle to find balance between being in this sinful world and yet not to be of it. And, as a teenager, often the pressure and influence from peers and parents (for both good and bad) are the greatest. As you strive for holiness, Satan is working against you. Don’t underestimate him and the subtle nature of sin. The problem is that we often skirt as close to sin as we can. We tell ourselves, it’s the big things that count. What’s the harm in listening to gossip or ‘news’? It’s nice to be included. Or laughing at a mean joke? Sometimes the meanest things are terribly funny, that’s why we find them and the people who say them so hard to resist.

But as you mature in the faith and knowledge of His Word, you must surely become more sensitive to sin, and so you cannot plead ignorance of sin to justify it. All these things that tempt us are so temporal, fleeting and never truly satisfy. Would you rather not follow after the example of Christ?

Thought: What are the practical things you can do to keep away from things that tempt you to sin?
Prayer: May I strive after holiness each and every day.