Engaging Spiritual Warfare pt. 5: Separation 
 

Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:14-26; 1 Timothy 5:21, 6:4; Titus 3:9 

Set yourself apart 
 

In this last focal point, the writer suggest that we keep ourselves separated. Now, this is not the type of separation from people but to get or keep apart from unprofitable things. It is to keep us holy and set apart from foolish conversations. Our focus should remain on our task, rather it be is to gain new territory in the spirit or to help set the someone free.  

In this text, Paul was writing his second letter to Timothy, trying to encourage him in the Pastoring of a church. This was a much-needed encouragement because Paul knew Timothy would face some difficult challenges with being so young in ministry. Paul’s intent with this chapter was to help Timothy understand how to discern between a profitable conversation and one that will be a waste of time.  

Once we are on our assignment, the enemy will send distractions our way to get us off course. We must be able to maintain a focus on our task. When engaging in Spiritual Warfare, the enemy is quite deceitful. Rather it be from the demon speaking back at you or from thoughts coming to your mind while praying. We must be aware of these things and quickly cast down every vain imagination and gain control again. It is very difficult to frame from engaging in unprofitable conversations, especially when you are the one being accused. There are a few ways to help maintain focus, as found in verse 15 of chapter 2: 

A) Study to show yourself approved: Be diligent, steadfast and unmovable, always doing the work of the Lord. That should be our sole intent when it comes to spiritual warfare. It cannot be for selfish gain but merely to glorify God because He is the one, we are trying to get approval from.  

B) Workman that needed not being ashamed: When we put Christ first in everything, there is no shame that comes after our work is inspected. It is similar to a worker who knows there job very well and does what the supervisor asks of them. They leave feeling they done what was asked, so it is with us when we carry out God’s task, we leave feeling empty in the Spirit because we allow ourselves to be used. It is only when we do works according to the flesh that we are ashamed. But everything done through the Holy Spirit is profitable.  

C) Rightly dividing the word of truth: It is not enough to know which side of the argument to be on, but we should know what the Bible is accurately stating and when to apply that word. When Jesus was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, what was His response? He always responded with the word of God.  

In the last several verses of this chapter we see the reward of keeping ourselves separated, verse 21 states that if we can do this, we become vessels for God to use. That is the ultimate goal in this, we make ourselves available for God. So, this devotional we have prepared ourselves for the fight, now that we are equipped, Let’s Begin the Fight!