To be circumcised in heart is to be separate from the world and holy to the Lord. We are to totally reject the claims of the world. We are to cleave to the Lord and all His holy Person and ways. We belong to the Lord and to the Lord alone! We are not of this world. We have been called out of this world that we may belong to Christ. We are to be holy as He is holy.

The enticements of the world continually, unrelentingly, claw at the believer. "Look here! Look there! Isn't this wonderful! Isn't that wonderful! Just think how marvelous life would be for you if you would take advantage of the opportunities the world is offering you."

Wasn't this what Satan offered Eve? Think about the result of her acceptance!

The follower of the Lord must wrench himself away from this siren call and follow the Lord with a holy heart. If he does not reject the malice and wickedness of the world spirit and set himself apart as holy to the Lord, it is absolutely impossible for him or her to destroy the enemy and enter the land of promise that is the inheritance of God's warriors.

The sin that dwells in our flesh. The covetous Achan brought Israel down to defeat because he disobeyed God.

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. (Joshua 7:1)

Achan's action in seizing some clothes, silver, and gold as booty is not at all unusual for a soldier in the time of war. But God had charged Israel not to touch the spoils during this battle.

And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord. (Joshua 6:18,19)

The Christian churches of our day are not diligent concerning righteousness, holiness and stern obedience to the Father. The prevailing attitude is, "Nobody's perfect. As long as we are in this world we have to sin. We are saved by grace and not by works. God loves us too much to deny us what we want."

The faithful pastor who warns his congregation that the Lord Jesus expects us to gain victory over all worldliness, sin, and self-will, as Christ leads us and helps us, is accused of not loving the people.

Can you imagine! The treacherous pastor who tickles the ears of his listeners, refusing to tell them the truth for fear they will leave, is regarded as the one who "loves" the people. The faithful pastor who repeatedly exhorts the people to put away their worldliness and sin, telling them that if they do not they will receive lashes because of their lack of service to Christ, is accused of not loving the people. Indeed, the world is turned upside down.

To be continued.