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I have vivid memories of a “spiritually embarrassing” moment that occurred many years ago. As a bit of background, at the end of my first week on a new job, I had an opportunity to talk for quite a while with one of my coworkers. I don’t even recall if it was in response to her question, but I shared that I was a Christian. She mentioned that she was not, but really admired that I was.

The following week a group of my coworkers were standing just off from my desk. They called me over to join them. They were talking about relationships. One of my coworkers shared an intimate encounter in very graphic detail. I felt a nudge to walk away. But I didn’t. The conversation took another downward dip. It was now ladened with profanities. Again, I felt the nudge to walk away. For more reasons than one, I should have heeded it.

The lady I talked with the week before came rushing towards us. She admonished the group that our crude and unprofessional conversation could be heard all the way down the hall. She was visibly surprised that I was involved. “Don’t let these people drag you down,” she said sternly. My coworkers had no idea why she singled me out. But I did. While she was not a believer, she knew that no good end could come from me engaging in this kind of behavior.

2 Corinthians 6:17 says: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Have you ever been in a situation like I was that day at work? If yes, did you turn away and separate yourself as Apostle Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 6:17?

Perhaps you can’t even relate to my experience. How about this: take a moment and think about some of the conversations you have had, or thoughts you have entertained, in the past few weeks. Were there instances where you were:

• a. complaining or grumbling. About this, Philippians 2:14-15 says: Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (ESV).

• b. tearing someone else down. About this, Ephesians 4:29 says: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

• c. being prideful. About this, James 4:6 says in part: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

As believers, we will never find ourselves totally shielded from thoughts or behaviors that are reminders of our sinful lives before we were born again. How then can we overcome those moments?

One of the things that has helped me is to continually ask God to examine my heart. To ask God to shine His light within me and to expose what is corrupt, wicked, and displeasing to Him. In Psalm 139:23-24 David asked: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Complaining, gossiping, dishonesty, self-centered and selfish motives, to name a few, hinder our ability to live a life that is holy and separated unto God. All of these sinful behaviors must go! If you don’t already do so, I urge you to ask God to search your heart. Maybe it’s a good idea to ask God to search your heart right now.

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Except where indicated above, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domain.