Christian

Life Series
Volume Fourteen:

Separation
From
The World
Published by:

Fundamental Baptist
World-Wide Mission

Christian Life Series, Copyright 2002, 2004, 2009 by Ernest Gambrell.

Published by Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without
prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by US copyright law.
First printing October 2002
Second Printing September 2004
Third Printing May 2009

Printed in the United States of America

Printed by:
Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission
P.O. Box 341356
Memphis, Tennessee 38184-1356

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

Dear Christian Friend:
The Bible tells us the worth of the world in Mark 8:36. Yet the world has a
tremendous power to appeal to our fleshly desire. It cannot fulfill what it promises, but will
fool you into believing its offers. It will offer you happiness, but it cannot offer you peace. It
will offer you a good time, but it cannot give you true joy. It will offer you wealth, but it is
temporary. It cannot offer you eternal wealth.
The world will tell you that everyone is doing it. If everyone is doing it - it is wrong,
because straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to Heaven and the Bible says
there will be few who find the way. The world will tell you that you can be a Christian and
still live as you want to live, dress as you want to dress, go where you want to go and do
what you want to do. All of these are lies. Gods Word tells us that we are not to love the
world nor the things of the world. It tells us that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life are NOT OF THE FATHER.
As you study this lesson, make it a point to learn that God expects us as His children
to be different. We are not to be like the world. The people of the world are looking at us
and recognize that we are different. They are watching us and acknowledge that we are
different. They will hear us talk and admit that we are different. We should purpose in our
hearts to BE different.
Our prayer is that God will teach you much as you study the Bible and bless you
greatly as you grow spiritually.
In Christ,
Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON ONE
What is the meaning of Biblical Separation?
Objective:

To understand the meaning of Biblical separation from the world and its
importance in the life of a Christian

Text to Read:

II Corinthians 6:11-17

Memorize:

I Peter 1:15-16

Some glad day those who belong to Christ will be freed from the very presence and
power of sin. Until then, we must have the mind of Christ regarding our life in this world
with its presence of sin. Indeed, our Lord Jesus prayed for His own in John 17 concerning
this. Verse 15 of that chapter says, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. If we should leave the world
immediately after being saved, we would have difficulty carrying out the great commission
our Lord gave us just prior to His return to Heaven. But Jesus asked the Father to keep us
from the evil of the world. Just a quick glance at this prayer reveals an imperative
separation of the believer from something.
Yet, the discussion of separation in the life of a Christian evokes responses ranging
from rejection and anger to carelessness and indifference in many who profess salvation.
One noted leader in religious circles wrote a book several years ago criticizing those who
want to uphold certain standards of separation. Often those who promote a lifestyle of
separation are called legalists and are dismissed as lunatics. For the Christian, vigorous
opposition to separation is barely understandable, in view of the entirety of Scripture.
However, a more dangerous reaction is seen in most Christians. It is a seemingly total lack
of concern for this important matter. As the world (the evil within the world) shifts to an
increasingly wicked position, the Church appears to shift proportionately in the same
direction, staying the same distance from the worst wickedness, but increasing its distance
from the unchangeable God.
As we enter the 21st century, we see the world spiraling downward away from God at
an ever-increasing rate. As stated in I John 2:15, the shocking evils we see today are rooted
in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which have always been of
the world." Worldliness (being like the world) was a problem to the first century Christians
just as it is to Christians today. We see this in the church at Corinth (I Corinthians 5), in
Demas (II Timothy 4:10), and in countless other examples. Situations and people have not
changed. As Andrew Murray entered the 20th century, he penned these words, If there is
one thing that Christ and the Scripture insist on, it is that His Kingdom is not of this world;
that separation from the world in fellowship and conduct, in surrender to the Spirit who
is from heaven, is essential to the faithful following of the Lord Jesus.

I.

Separation: A positive or negative issue?

Why is separation such a matter of controversy? One reason may be a lack of
one's understanding of the issue. Separation is viewed as a negative issue and,
indeed, it is a negative issue in that separation entails being removed from the evil
as Jesus prayed. But first and foremost, separation is a positive issue.
A.

Separation is negative in that our Lord wants us to be kept _________ the evil
according to John 17:15.

B.

Separation is primarily a positive issue.

1.

In creation.
From the sixth day of creation, God wanted man to be like Him because
He made man in His ____________ (Genesis 1:27).

2.

In Gods dealing with Israel.

What instruction does God give repeatedly in Leviticus 11:44-45,
19:2, 20:7, and 20:26? ___________________________________________

3.

In Gods instruction to the church.

What command does God give the church in I Peter 1:15?
_______________________________________________________________

II.

Separation: An inevitable part of a Christians life

Christians can rebel against the issue of separation from the world, but one
thing is certain: separation is unavoidable. It is simply a matter of choice. We can be
separated unto God or from God.
A.

The choice in the matter of separation.

1.

Adams choice was (1)to be like God and enjoy all His blessings in the
garden, or (2) to disobey and suffer what penalty (Genesis 2:17)?
________________________________________________________________

2.

Israels choice was (1) to be like God and enjoy all of His blessings in the
Promised Land, or (2) to be like the nations around them and suffer
what penalty (Isaiah 1:19-20)? _____________________________

3.

We, as Gods Church, have the same choice: (1) we can be like God (holy)
and have every blessing of God culminating in the words Well done
5

thou good and faithful servant, or (2) we can be like the world and
have nothing because our works will be burned up as ___________,
___________, and ______________ (I Corinthians 3:12-15).
B.

III.

IV.

The pathways to our choice.

1.

Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be followers of God as ______ ____________. In

Ephesians 6:1 we find that the primary responsibility of children is
________________________________________________________________.

2.

What is the choice that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2)?

________________________________________________________________

3.

Choosing to be separated unto God should be viewed as normal

Christianity. The church is described in the Bible as the "Bride of
Christ." No one would argue that separation for a bride from all
impurity is a beautiful matter in preparation for marriage. Why should
there be a lesser expectation for the Bride of Christ? Jesus wants to
present the church to himself without _______ or ____________ and that
it should be _______ and ____________ ___________ (Ephesians 5:27).

4.

Choosing to yield to sin makes the Christian a __________ to sin

according to Romans 6:16.

Separation: A Christians way of life

A.

I Peter 1:15-16 tells us we are to be ______ in all manner of _______________.

Holy means set apart. Conversation means way of life. We are to be
separated from the world (from sin) in all aspects of living.

B.

In II Corinthians 5:17 we find that ______ things are passed away for a
Christian and that ______ things are become new.

C.

I Thessalonians 4:3 makes it clear that our sanctification (being set apart for
God) is the ________ of God for us.

Separation: A warning
A.

Separation must not become a matter of pride. A Christian must not use his
own separation as a means of belittling someone else. Explain how the
Pharisees attitude ruined his separation in the sight of God in Luke 18:11-12.
__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

B.

We must not look at a list of "dos" and "donts" to determine our level of
Spirituality. Our separation from sin unto God should be because of love for
Christ and not so that we can brag about how separated we are. What warning
does
God
give
us
in
I
Corinthians
10:12?
_____________
______________________________________________________________________

C.

Should we compare ourselves to other Christians to determine our level of

Spirituality? (II Corinthians 10:12)
______________________________________________________________________

D.

Jesus was completely separated from sin in His manner of living, yet what
was His attitude according to Philippians 2:5-8?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Life Application:
1.

Should our closest friends be those who lead us into sin, or those who point us
toward separation from sin? _________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2.

Should we choose entertainment that gives us opportunity for sin?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON TWO
What We Say and What We Hear Part I
Objective:

To understand the importance of the use of words to a Christian

Text to Read:

Psalm 19:12-14

Memorize:

Exodus 20:7

The Bible has much to say about "speaking" and "hearing." We will study these two
topics together because they are virtually inseparable. If a Christian should not say certain
words, he obviously should not listen to those same words being said. Similarly, if a
Christian should speak certain words it is for the purpose of someone else hearing those
words for the glory of God.
I.

II.

Using words for good and for evil

A.

What did God use to create the universe according to Hebrews 11:3?
______________________________________________________________________

B.

How did Satan use words in Genesis 3:1,4,5? ____________________________

______________________________________________________________________

C.

What does the Lord say about a Christian using words for both good and evil
according to James 3:9,10? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Taking the name of God in vain

The third commandment in Exodus 20:7 says, Thou shalt not take the name of
the Lord thy God in vain. Obviously, this means more than a spoken word because if
one professes to be a Christian and then lives like the world, he or she is taking the
Name of the Lord in vain. However, using the Name of God inappropriately in our
words is clearly included in this prohibition.
A.

What did Jesus say about our words in his explanation of the third
commandment in Matthew 5:34-37? ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

B.

Since our words are to be guarded closely, should we use substitute words for
God, or for Hell, or for any curse words? Look up some of these substitute
words in the dictionary and then write your thoughts about these substitute
words according to Matthew 5:37. _______________________________________
8

C.

III.

If a Christian is not to curse and swear, as we know the world does, for what
purpose are we to use our words?
1.

Psalm 150:6 ___________________________________________________

2.

Ezekiel 3:19-21_________________________________________________

Speaking the truth

The Word of God reveals the character of God. The words spoken by Jesus and
recorded for us in the Scriptures reveal the truth of God.
A.

What did Jesus say about the Word of God in John 17:17?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

B.

What does God say about lying in Proverbs 6:16-17? ____________________

_____________________________________________________________________

C.

According to Ephesians 4:25, what should a Christian do with regard to lying?

______________________________________________________________________

D.

Deceit is a close relative of lying.

E.

1.

What does God say in Proverbs 12:20 about someone who has a heart of
deceit? __________________________________________________________

2.

I John 1:5 states that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.
How should this statement guide a Christian who is tempted to use
deceit? _________________________________________________________

3.

What is Gods clear command about deceit in Psalm 34:13?

________________________________________________________________

4.

Read II Corinthians 4:1-2. What was the Apostle Pauls opinion of using
deceit in the Lords work? ________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

As always, the Lord does not simply instruct us as to what and from what we
are to refrain. He admonishes us as to what we should do. What should a
Christian speak according to Ephesians 4:25 and 4:15?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

IV.

The Power of the Tongue

If a Christians tongue is not controlled by the Lord, it can be harmful. But if
surrendered to the Lord, it can be a great blessing.
A.

How is the tongue described in James 3:6? ______________________________

______________________________________________________________________

B.

How is the tongue described in James 3:8? ______________________________

______________________________________________________________________

C.

Describe the power of the tongue as shown in Proverbs 18:21.

______________________________________________________________________

D.

Describe how the tongue can be used for good in Proverbs 15:1,2,4.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Life Application:
1.

If you find that a slang word you have used all your life is really an abbreviated
form of using the Lords name, what should be your response?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2.

During a regular work day, you have some personal matters to which you need to
attend, should you call and tell your boss that you are sick so you can use a sick day?
Why or why not? _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3.

Describe how you can use your tongue to help your friends. ____________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4.

Describe how you can use your tongue to hurt your friends.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

10

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON THREE
What We Say and What We Hear Part II
Objective:

To understand the importance of the use of words to a Christian

Text to Read:

Ephesians 4:24-29

Memorize:

Ephesians 4:29

I.

Gossip
Spreading rumors or even repeating true statements that unnecessarily cause
harm are displeasing to the Lord.

II.

A.

What does God say about the speech of tattlers and busybodies in I Timothy
5:13? ________________________________________________________________

B.

What does God say about repeating a matter in Proverbs 17:9?

______________________________________________________________________

C.

What is Gods view of those who sow discord among brethren according to
Proverbs 6:16-19? ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Murmuring and complaining

When Christians are tempted to go back into the world as were the children of
Israel tempted to go back into Egypt, often some of the initial evidences of this desire
to backslide are murmuring and complaining.
A.

What did the people of Israel murmur about in these passages?

1.

Exodus 16:1-3 __________________________________________________

2.

Exodus 17: 1-3 _________________________________________________

3.

Numbers 13:32-14:4 ____________________________________________

B.

What adjectives does God use in Numbers 14:27 and Jude 15,16 to describe
those people who murmur and complain?
_____________________________________________________________________

C.

Who are we really rebelling against when we murmur and complain (Numbers
14:9,22,27)? ___________________________________________________________
11

III.

D.

What is Gods instruction to the church about murmuring in I Corinthians

10:10 and Ephesians 2:14? ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

E.

What is the best antidote when we are tempted to murmur? It is found in I

Thessalonians 5:18. __________________________________________________

The deceitfulness of Satan through words

One way Satan uses words is to use suggestive language and humor to
communicate depraved thinking. Christians should certainly never participate in
filthy conversations, but Christians should also have the same convictions about any
discussion that has subtle connotations of evil: for example, sexual overtones. There
are many Scriptures to guide us in this matter. Below are a few. Read these verses
and write down under the heading Ungodly the kinds of speech that displease God.
Under the heading Godly write down the kinds of speech that please God.

IV.

Ungodly

Godly

A.

Ephesians 4:29

____________________

______________________

B.

Ephesians 5:3,4

____________________

______________________

C.

I Peter 3:9

____________________

______________________

D.

Proverbs 15:1

____________________

______________________

E.

Proverbs 11:3

____________________

______________________

F.

Proverbs 28:23

____________________

______________________

Tolerance of evil speaking

Many Christians would walk away from a person using profane or vulgar
language, and some Christians would even have the boldness to rebuke that person.
Why then do Christians allow wicked men and women, as well as boys and girls, to
come into their homes on a daily basis and say almost anything they want to say? Of
course, this also happens through the television. It likewise happens through the
radio, through the CD player, and through the Internet. Christians must wake up
and realize that the Devil and the world are infiltrating our Christian homes and
desensitizing us to the point that we are not even shocked any more when someone
says something profane or vulgar. Do we listen to and watch things on television that
we know are dishonoring to God just because they are funny? Do we listen to talk
radio hosts who regularly use profanity just because those people have a
conservative view of politics? Do we visit uncensored "chat rooms" on the Internet to
meet people?
12

A.

What kind of speech does God condemn in II Peter 2:12?

_____________________________________________________________________

B.

What does God warn us about in II Timothy 3:13? How do you think this
applies to spoken words? _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

C.

What does God warn us about in II Peter 3:3? Give an example of the
spoken words this type person might use.
____________________________________________________________________

Life Application:
1.

If a decision is made by someone in authority over you and you do not agree with the
decision, to whom should you talk about this matter and what should you say?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2.

If a television program is funny and clever and only suggests wickedness without
using vulgarity or profanity, should you watch the program? What Scriptural
principles would you use to make your decision?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3.

If someone speaks in anger to you, should you respond in anger to show that person
that no one can push you around? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

13

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON FOUR
What We Say and What We Hear Part III
Objective:

To gain an understanding of the Biblical principles about music

Text to read:

Colossians 3:16-17

Memorize:

Ephesians 5:18-19

To pursue the matter of what we hear, let us consider the issue of music. It is true
that there can be differences in taste in music, but there are grave dangers in some kinds of
music and Christians should not be ignorant of these dangers. There are Scriptural
principles to be applied to music.
I.

II.

Our goal in music

A.

How are Christians to react to the songs described in Psalm 147:1?

_____________________________________________________________________

B.

What are Christians to do with musical instruments according to Psalm

150:3-5? _____________________________________________________________

C.

What is associated with music (song) in Psalm 66:4? _____________________

______________________________________________________________________

A difference in music
A.

Music is not neutral. Music is used to create a mood of calmness in elevators

and a mood conducive to purchasing in stores. By their own admission, the
worlds musicians use music (both words and rhythm) to create moods of
sensuality and violence. Christians need to realize that there is a marked
difference between Gods music and the worlds music. Based on the principle
taught in Leviticus 10:10, we need to recognize the difference between
____________ and ____________, and between _____________ and _____________.

B.

Christians need to realize that II Corinthians 5:17 includes music when it

states old things are passed away; behold _____ things are become ________.

C.

Read Psalm 40:2-3. When God brought us up out of the horrible pit, what did
He put in our mouths? __________________________________________________

D.

The "new" man mentioned in Ephesians 4:24 is made in the image of God in
_____________ and true ___________. This would include all aspects of the
"new" man, including his music.
14

E.

III.

IV.

As Christians, Philippians 1:10 tells us to "approve things that are

_____________." This tells us that we should seek the best in our service for
God, including our music.

Our choices in music

A.

Read Ephesians 4:22 and I John 2:15. Does the kind of music you enjoy arouse
the lust of the flesh? God says we should ______ ______ the old man and love
not the _________.

B.

According to I Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17, we are to do all to the

_________ ___ ______.
1.

Do the words of our music glorify God? ____________________________

2.

Does the rhythm of our music glorify God? _________________________

3.

Critique the music to which you listen on a regular basis. State

whether you think God would say it glorifies Him or does not glorify
Him. __________________________________________________________

Who or what controls our music?

A.

The kind of music that we hear, play, or sing is controlled by our fleshly
appetites and desires (even in what is so-called Christian music). If we yield
ourselves to the worlds music and the sin associated with it, we are
______________ to sin according to Romans 6:16.

B.

Ephesians 5:18-19 enumerates the kind of music we are to have in our hearts.
We are to speak to ourselves in ______, __________, and __________________
__________. We will habitually strive to do this if we are filled with the
_____________ __________. We will have the right choices in music if we are
filled with (controlled by) the __________ ________.

C.

Colossians 3:16 describes the kind of music we should use. We should teach
and admonish one another in ___________, ___________, and _____________
__________. We will achieve this goal if we permit the __________ ___
___________ to dwell in us richly. We will make the right choices in music if
our minds are filled with (controlled by) the __________ ___ ______.

Life Application:
1.

Can a song that focuses on immorality or unfaithfulness in marriage glorify God?

Why or why not? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
15

2.

Can a musician who is known to be ungodly edify a Christian? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3.

Does a song that has sensual rhythm glorify God even if it has Christian words?
Why or why not? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

16

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON FIVE
Where We Go and What We See
Objective:

To discover Biblical principles to use in determining the places to which

a Christian should go and what a Christian should allow into the mind
through the eye-gate.

Text to Read:

Psalm 1:1-6.

Memorize:

Psalm 32:8.

We will study these two topics where we go and what we see together because, aside
from situations of physical blindness, "where we go" has a direct bearing on "what we see."
I.
Our minds record visual images and what we see many times remains in our
memories for the rest of our lives.
A.

We who profess to be Christians, must guard our eyes, especially in this day of
shamelessness. The Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 101:3, I will set _______
___________ ________ before mine eyes. This would include art, books,
magazines, the internet, television, movies, as well as immodesty at the beach,
or any other place where incomplete attire is accepted by the world.

B.

Failure to guard the eyes causes lustful behavior. This has been proven in
modern times by studies of people who commit crimes. But Jesus warned about
it when He walked on the earth. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus explained the
fuller meaning of the commandment, "Thou shall not commit adultery." In
verse 28, who did Jesus say was guilty of committing adultery in the heart?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

C.

Lest we think we are beyond temptation, consider David. II Samuel 11:2

informs the reader that from the roof he ________ ___ _____________
_____________ ______________. From this failure to guard his eyes, came the
sins of adultery and murder.

D.

A Christians eyes must be on the Lord. We must be close enough to the Lord
to have eye contact with Him in a Spiritual sense. In that way He is able to
more effectively _________ ____ _______ _______ _________ as He assures us in
Psalm 32:8.

17

II.

Being in the wrong place can be very harmful to our spiritual lives.
We have seen how David was in the wrong place. What else does the Lord
divulge to us in His Word about where we should go?
A.

In Genesis 13:12,13, Lot chose to go to the wrong place. Describe the place
where he went. _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

B.

In Numbers 14:1-4, the people of Israel refused to go where God wanted them
to go. Instead, they wanted to return to ___________, which symbolizes the
world.

C.

Proverbs 7 teaches men to stay away from the places where the strange
woman abides.

III.

IV.

1.

How does Proverbs 7:22 describe those who go to the place of a

"strangewoman?" ________________________________________________

2.

How does Proverbs 7:27 describe the house of the harlot?

_______________________________________________________________

Being in the right place allows us to be where God can lead us and bless us.

A.

In Genesis 24, Abrahams servant obeyed Abraham and went where God
directed him to go. Because of his obedience, God led him. Look at Genesis
24:27 and write what the servant said about being led of God.
______________________

B.

In John 10, Jesus talked about His being the Good Shepherd Who leads the
sheep. The Good Shepherd would never lead us anywhere contrary to His
Word or to His character. What is the response of the sheep to the leadership
of the Good Shepherd in John 10:4? ___________________________

C.

What does Hebrews 10:25 teach us about where we should go?

______________________________________________________________________

Going to the right places also means going with the right associates.
A.

I Corinthians 15:33 warns us that ________ communications corrupt ________

manners. This means that evil friends can entice Christians to do evil.

B.

According to Proverbs 13:20, contrast the end result of a man who walketh
with wise men to the end result of a companion of fools.
_____________________________________________________________________
18

C.

V.

Jehoshaphat, a good king, joined with Ahab, a wicked king. The Bible reveals
that because of this friendship, Jehoshaphat almost lost his life (II Chronicles
18:31), and his son became evil because of Jehoshaphats friendship with Ahab.
II Chronicles 21:6 depicts what Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, did to cause
his wickedness. What was it that caused his wickedness and how do you think
his fathers friendship with a wicked man caused this? _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Controversial Issues
A.

Movies have been used of Satan to spread the worlds philosophies: immorality,
covetousness, greed, violence, etc. Movies are filled with images and
philosophies that destroy the mind. What does I Peter 2:11 tell us about fleshly
lusts (promoted by movies)? ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

B.

Casinos are filled with opportunities to dishonor God. Gambling is one of the
purest forms of covetousness and is almost always associated with other types
of evil. Colossians 3:5-6 also groups covetousness with other forms of evil.
What does verse 6 conclude is the result of the evil itemized in verse 5
(including covetousness)?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

C.

When the issue of attendance at a questionable place arises, we must keep

Biblical principles in mind.
1.

What does I Thessalonians 5:22 teach us to do about the appearance of

evil? ________________________________________________________

2.

What does I Corinthians 8:12-13 teach us about harming the conscience

of another believer? ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Life Application:
1.

If an unsaved friend asked you to go swimming in mixed company, should you go?
How would this friend be helped or harmed if you went?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

19

2.

If you had a chance to go to a new city for a great job opportunity and you found
that there were no good churches for your family in that place and the place was
known for its opportunities for sinful lifestyles, what would you do?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

3.

Is it acceptable for a Christian to rent a questionable video and view it in the privacy
of his own home as long as he does not go to the movie theater to see it?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

4.

Write out the truths you have learned and the decisions that you have made from the
study of this lesson.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

20

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

LESSON SIX
What We Put On Our Bodies and What We
Put Into Our Bodies
Objective:

To discover Biblical principles to use in determining how a Christian

should adorn and care for the physical body

Text to Read:

Romans 6:12-16

Memorize:

I Corinthians 6:19-20

I.

II.

Ownership
A.

Who created man (Genesis 1:27)? ______________________________________

B.

What does the body of a person become once that person is saved, according to I
Corinthians 6:19? _______________________________________________________

C.

Do we belong to ourselves once we are saved (I Corinthians 6:20)?

_____________________________________________________________________

D.

What was the price paid for our redemption from sin according to I Peter 1:1819? _____________________________________________________________

E.

To whom do we belong in view of the previous questions (Mark 9:41)?

_____________________________________________________________________

What we put "on" our bodies

The Bible shows us several principles concerning this vital issue of how we
dress.
A.

B.

Humility: Because of the Scriptural emphasis on humility and our glorification

of God, our attire should not draw attention to ourselves.
1.

According to I Corinthians 10:31, we should do ____ to the glory of God.

2.

Would this include putting on apparel? ___________________________

Modesty:
1.

I Timothy 2:9 states that women should adorn themselves in

______________ apparel.
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C.

D.

III.

2.

This principle goes all the way back to Adam and Eve, who covered their
nakedness with _____ ______ (Genesis 3:7).

3.

God not only approved the covering of their nakedness after they had
sinned, but covered them Himself with ________ ___ __________
according to Genesis 3:21.
Coverings in the Bible symbolize
righteousness (robes of righteousness).

4.

Women need to be particularly careful to dress modestly to keep

someone else from stumbling. Even if there is no intent to be immodest,
carelessness in this area can cause a brother to stumble. Read Romans
14:21 and I Corinthians 8:13. The Apostle Paul was so intent not to
harm a brothers spiritual life that he said I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth lest I make my brother to _____.

Identification: Whether we accept it or not, we identify ourselves by the type of

clothing we wear.
1.

The priests, according to Exodus 39, wore special clothing that identified
them as priests and lest there should be any mistake about the
significance of what was worn, the priests outfit was completed with a
gold engraving on the crown that said _____________ ________ ______
________ according to Exodus 39:30.

2.

In contrast, Proverbs 10:7 says that another type person is known by

her attire. What type of person is this?
________________________________________________________________

Distinction: This principle is often overlooked, but it is extremely important.

1.

Genesis 1:27 clearly states that God made a distinction between the
sexes. God created them _____ and _________.

2.

God condemns any effort to erase the distinction between the sexes. An
example is Deuteronomy 22:5 where putting on the attire of the opposite
sex is called an ___________________.

3.

God condemns any erasure of the distinction of the sexes in Romans

1:26-27 where homosexual activities are called _______ affections.

What we put "into" our bodies

A.

What warning does God give concerning the defiling of the body in I
Corinthians 3:16-17? ________________________________________________

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B.

Strong drink is condemned over and over in the Scriptures. What should be
our attitude toward strong drink according to Proverbs 23:29-32?
_____________________________________________________________________

C.

Gluttony is condemned in Proverbs 25:16, which instructs us to eat so much

as is ___________________ for thee.

D.

Anything that would enslave us prevents us from being Gods servants.

Romans 6:16 warns us we are the _______ of the things to which we yield
ourselves.

E.

The mind: God wants to use our minds; therefore, we must not put any
commodity (food or drink) into our bodies that would destroy the mind. This
would include alcohol, drugs, etc.
1.

God wants us to have a _____ mind (II Timothy 1:7).

2.

God wants us to have ________ minds (II Peter 3:1).

3.

God wants the ____________ of God to keep our hearts and minds
(Philippians 4:7).

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Life Application:
1.

At a business meeting your boss offers you an alcoholic beverage.

What should you do? _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2.

You are asked to be in a dramatic production. You find out the costume you are
expected to wear is immodest. What should you do?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3.

Until recently (the last 60 years), most societies accepted the fact that men and
women should dress differently. This principle of distinction is taught in the Bible.
How can men and women dress differently without immodestly drawing attention to
the body?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4.

Summarize what you have learned from this lesson:

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5.

Write the decisions that you have made in your Christian life from this particular
Bible study.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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