Isolating yourself from the world
We can’t physically remove ourselves from the world so how do we maintain a spiritual goldy posture whilst surrounded by so many things that go against God’s Word? Being in the world but not of the world involves us isolating our mind from the things of this world and where the mind goes the body follows.
According to the dictionary, the state of isolation is being in a place or situation that is separate from others The condition of being isolated is actively separating something from other things
As Christians, we are told many things, but the one thing we are encouraged to do without ceasing is to pray, which would indicate everything begins with prayer, which simplified is having a conversation with God. see 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Proverbs 3:5-6 The fact we are told to do this constantly signifies the extent to which we need to stay connected to God and separated from the World.
Jesus prayed for us
As He approached His death, Jesus main concern was us, God’s creation, His children. In John 17:15-17 AMP, He prayed I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.
1 John 4:4 NLT But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
What does the spirit who lives in us look like?
How do we know if we are following the right spirit?
Fruit of the Spirit
The Bible answers this question clearly for us in Galatians 5:22-25 AMP But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].
NLT Version But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Fruits if the flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 AMP Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behaviour, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
When we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit we are isolating ourselves spiritually, mentally and emotionally from the fruit of the flesh, things this world and the prince of this world, Satan thrive on. God did not say it would be easy, His World tells us the spirit of God and the flesh will be at war. Being sensitive to the struggle places us in a position of power where we can make proper use of our free will as opposed to being completely blinded and controlled by emotions we are unaware of.
The war between flesh and Spirit – Spiritual and Physical Isolation
The war between the flesh and the Spirit begins in the mind and flows through to our actions. Many battles are fought in the mind, which was the main reason I signed up for the mindset Challenge 2020, a daily commitment to overcoming mental damage caused by 35 years of depression. Since 2011, I have fought many battles in the mental war that resides within and won, but it was time to take it to another level, ensuring all traces of my depressive past were eradicated. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Galatians 5:17-18 AMP For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
Following God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit also helps us follow the examples Jesus left us. My core message is to help individuals develop a deeper intimate relationship with God. Building on the intimate side of our relationship with Him. Some of the ways we do this is by following Jesus examples, rising early in the morning before the day begins to spend time in prayer and frequently residing to quiet places to be alone with God. Both of these practices involve us physically isolating ourselves from the world in order to connect with God.
The opposite of us isolating ourselves from the world involves us isolating ourselves from God and connecting with the world and the prince of this world – Satan.
2 Corinthians 4:4 AMP Among them, the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
John 14:30 AMP I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me];
When we side with this world we side with the enemy, Satan. Isolating ourselves with him has many side effects. One of the most prominent ones in the area of the mind is depression. The constant regurgitating of negative ungodly thoughts can lead us to isolate ourselves from others – mainly people and organisations that can help us combat what we are facing. When we do that we place ourselves in the perfect environment for Satan to dominate our thoughts with no room for goldy or sound counsel
This is not healthy isolation, it only leads to stress and heaviness and creates distance between us and God and thrives on condemnation. In the darkest of cases, it can lead to suicide.
How do we remain in a state of isolation from the world and connected to God?
Galatians 5:16 AMP But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
There will always be two trails of thoughts fighting for our attention. One for our good, sound godly thoughts, the other for our destruction, negative thoughts.
We become focused on either when we isolate one and connect with the other. During this present pandemic, many churches and Christian organizations have temporarily closed their doors to social gatherings in order to reduce social contact causing the virus to spread. Ensure you surround yourself remotely with the right people and resources. Stay connected to the right power source – God and to the body of Christ.
Hebrews 10:25 ESV Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
Proverbs 18:1 ESV Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
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