Topical Bible: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: A Call to Come out From

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of forming alliances or maintaining society with the enemies of God is consistently portrayed as a perilous endeavor that leads to spiritual compromise and divine disfavor. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and admonitions that underscore the dangers of such associations, urging the faithful to remain separate and devoted to God.

Old Testament Warnings and Examples

The Old Testament is replete with instances where alliances with pagan nations led to Israel's downfall. One of the most notable examples is King Solomon, whose marriages to foreign women led him to idolatry. As recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 , "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... from the nations of which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love." This alliance with foreign nations through marriage resulted in Solomon's heart turning away from God, illustrating the spiritual peril of such unions.

The prophet Isaiah also warned against alliances with foreign powers, emphasizing reliance on God rather than human strength. In Isaiah 31:1 , it is written, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." This passage highlights the futility and danger of seeking security in alliances with those who do not honor God.

New Testament Admonitions

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to maintain spiritual purity and separation from worldly influences. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, provides a clear directive: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). This exhortation underscores the incompatibility of a believer's life with that of those who oppose God's ways.

Furthermore, James 4:4 starkly warns, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This passage calls believers to recognize the spiritual adultery inherent in aligning with worldly values and systems that stand in opposition to God's kingdom.

A Call to Separation

Throughout Scripture, the call to come out from among the enemies of God is clear and compelling. In Revelation 18:4 , the voice from heaven commands, "Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues." This call to separation is not merely a physical withdrawal but a spiritual and moral distancing from practices and ideologies that are contrary to God's will.

The biblical mandate is not one of isolation but of distinction. Believers are called to be in the world but not of it, serving as ambassadors of Christ while maintaining their allegiance to Him alone. The call to come out from alliances with the enemies of God is a call to holiness, faithfulness, and unwavering devotion to the Lord.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 16:26
And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest you be consumed in all their sins.
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Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
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Jeremiah 51:6,45
Flee out of the middle of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render to her a recompense.
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2 Corinthians 6:17
Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
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2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
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Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
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Library

Covenanting a Duty.
... the nature of the statute forbidding alliance with the ... of his Church, and also of
civil society,"over which ... to his government, and thus act as his enemies. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Romance of Orthodoxy
... past a certain point in its alliance with oppression ... Our fighting and creative society
ought rather to insist ... fact about this faith; that its enemies will use ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/viii the romance of orthodoxy.htm

Biographical Preface.
... opinion, or to suggest any other alliance, was sure to ... to the adornments of life,
until society become like ... table was furnished in the presence of his enemies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/biographical preface.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... been engaged in repressing and punishing God's enemies"this had ... Judah; Josiah, bound
perhaps by an alliance to the ... raising us to the unseen society of Saints ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

The Conflict with Evil
... positions in business, politics, and society, the character ... for the despotic Roman
Empire, are in close alliance. ... I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter x the conflict with.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... They are the friends, not the enemies of religion. ... religion has not such strong alliance
with the ... their comfortless boarding-houses; some society besides their ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Covenant Duties.
... her interests, are the strongest that society can put ... denunciations and warnings
addressed to his enemies; he urges ... civil power; that seek the alliance of any ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Robert Hall -- Marks of Love to God
... God: whereas, in proving the bitter enemies of Christ ... Do you shun their society with
aversion and secret ... descending, in token of an alliance established between ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/robert hall marks of.htm

Wagner -- I am a Voice
... Speech was held between friends and enemies alike, more ... indeed that eternity has
concluded an alliance with him ... home from the humblest regions of society to the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/wagner i am a.htm

Herod and Peter.
... were, distinguished by their station in society, or their ... The alliance between Church
and State is conceived to ... of the designs of their enemies, the surprising ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm