Keys to the Storehouse – Separation

John the Baptist separated himself from home and friends. Why would he do such a thing? We are told:

“… it was necessary that he should form a character unbiased by any surrounding influence.

It was necessary that his physical, mental, and moral conditions should be of that high and noble type that would qualify him for a work which required firmness and integrity, that when he should appear among men he could enlighten them, and be instrumental in giving a new direction to their thoughts, and awakening them to the necessity of forming righteous characters.

John would bring the people up to the standard of divine perfection.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 46.

Interestingly, John even “… denied himself of the ordinary comforts of life.” Ibid. In keeping apart from the world John had no bias, no favoritism, and no preferences. He truly walked with the Lord—nothing stole his heart except Jesus.

“It was his choice to be secluded from the luxuries of life, and from depraved society. Pride, envy, jealousy, and corrupt passions seemed to control the hearts of men. But John was separated from the influence of these things, and, with discerning eye and wonderful discrimination, read the characters of men. He lived in the quiet retreat of the wilderness, and occasionally he mingled in society; but would not remain long where the moral atmosphere seemed to be polluted. He feared that the sight of his eyes and the hearing of his ears would so pervert his mind that he would lose a sense of the sinfulness of sin.” Ibid.

Is that your fear? So many have lost a sense of the sinfulness of sin because the eyes have not looked away from evil and the hearing not sheltered. Many have seen evil so long and so often in their homes and in society that it has become normal. I hear people say, “Well, it is just a little thing.”

Is it “just a little thing” to lose the sense of sinfulness? That thought is totally of the devil, for he lost out on heaven and he wants you also to lose out. Separation means to disconnect or a parting of the ways. Are you parting from the ways of this world and from the ruler of this world? Remember: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Separate—get out of the whirlwind—don’t get caught in the midst. “And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place” (Mark 6:31).

Heavenly Father: How do I get out of the whirlwind of the world? Grant me of Thine Holy Spirit that I may separate from the whirlwind the devil has created in my life. Save me from the so-called luxuries of life that draw my heart away from You. Give me the courage to separate from anything which takes my heart or my mind from You. Thank You. Amen.