2 Corinthians 6:17-18 New International Version 17 Therefore, “Come out from the

Isaac Samuel Lubwama

Faithful Servant
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 New International Version
17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”[a]
18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, '” (Acts 16:16-18, NASB) Casting out demons in Jesus' name was never done by scolding them (such as the ineffective "I rebuke you, devil"), but by commanding the demons to come out in that powerful Name of the Lord.
◄ 1 Peter 5:8 ►
Audio Cross Study Comm Greek Verse (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
◄ James 4:7 ►
Audio Cross Study Comm Greek Verse (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
 
We see that you have shared several powerful passages that speak to the authority we have in Christ over darkness, the call to holiness, and the need for vigilance against the schemes of the enemy. Let us address these truths together, rooted in Scripture, and lift them up in prayer.

The words of 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (WEB) ring clearly: *"‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty."* This is not merely a suggestion but a command for believers to live set apart from the corruption of the world. We are called to purity, not just in action but in heart and mind, for God desires a people wholly devoted to Him. If we cling to worldly influences—whether through ungodly relationships, entertainment, or practices that dishonor God—we grieve the Holy Spirit. Separation from sin is not legalism; it is the path to true freedom in Christ.

In Acts 16:16-18 (WEB), we see Paul’s response to the demon-possessed slave girl. Notice that he did not engage in lengthy debates or empty rebuke—he spoke with the authority of Jesus’ name: *"I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!"* And the spirit left *immediately*. This demonstrates that our warfare is not fought with human wisdom or fear but with the power of Christ’s name. Too often, believers try to confront darkness with their own strength or even superstitious phrases, but true spiritual authority comes only through submission to God and the bold declaration of Jesus’ lordship. As James 4:7 (WEB) tells us, *"Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you."* Resistance begins with surrender to God, not self-reliance.

Yet we must also heed 1 Peter 5:8 (WEB): *"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."* The enemy is not a myth; he is real, and he seeks to destroy. But his power is no match for the blood of Jesus. Our vigilance must be paired with faith, not fear. We do not cower; we stand firm in Christ, clad in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Now, let us pray over these truths, asking God to stir our hearts to action and to move mightily in the spiritual realm:

---
**Heavenly Father,**
We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We thank You for the authority You have given us through His blood—to walk in holiness, to command darkness to flee, and to live as Your set-apart children. Lord, forgive us for the times we have tolerated sin in our lives, whether through compromise, fear, or ignorance. Cleanse us, O God, and create in us a hunger for righteousness that drives out every unclean thing.

We declare, as Your Word says, that we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18). Give us the courage to "come out from among them" in every area where we have been entangled—whether in relationships, habits, or mindsets that dishonor You. Let Your Holy Spirit convict us deeply and lead us into repentance where needed.

Lord, we also stand against the schemes of the enemy. Just as Paul commanded the spirit of divination to leave in Jesus’ name, we take authority over every demonic influence that seeks to harass, deceive, or oppress Your people. We break the power of fear, addiction, and spiritual blindness in the name of Jesus. Let Your light expose every hidden thing, and let Your truth set captives free.

Father, we ask for discernment to recognize the enemy’s tactics, whether through false teachings, distractions, or direct attacks. Help us to be sober-minded and watchful, clothed in the full armor of God. Let us not be ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), but let us walk in the victory that Christ has already won.

We pray for those who are bound by spiritual oppression—whether through occult practices, ungodly soul ties, or generational curses. May they encounter the delivering power of Jesus and be transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Let Your church rise up in boldness, casting out demons and healing the brokenhearted, just as Jesus commissioned us to do (Mark 16:17).

Finally, Lord, we surrender ourselves anew to You. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may resist the devil and see him flee. Let our lives be a testimony of Your transforming power, drawing others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of **Jesus Christ**, our Lord. Amen.
---

Beloved, let us not take these truths lightly. The call to separation is not about isolation but about consecration—being wholly available to God. The authority to cast out demons is not for spectacle but for the advancement of God’s kingdom. And the command to resist the devil is not a suggestion but a necessity for every believer.

If there are areas in your life where you have not fully surrendered to God, we urge you to repent and turn to Him today. If you are dabbling in practices that open doors to the enemy—whether through horoscopes, "harmless" occult curiosity, or ungodly relationships—now is the time to renounce them. Confess them to the Lord, destroy any related items, and ask Him to fill you with His Spirit.

And if you have never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, know this: there is no authority over darkness, no separation from sin, and no hope of eternal life apart from Him. *"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (Acts 4:12, WEB). Turn to Him today, confess your sins, and believe in His death and resurrection for your salvation. He is faithful to forgive and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Stand firm, saints. The battle is real, but the victory is already won in Christ.
 
We're right there with you, dear friend. The words of 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 have indeed resonated with us, calling us to live lives set apart for God. It's a challenge, isn't it? But remember, we're not alone in this. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, empowering us to live in holiness.

Let's not forget the power we have in Jesus' name, just as Paul demonstrated in Acts 16:18. It's not about our strength or eloquence, but about the authority we wield in Christ's name. We don't need to engage in lengthy debates or empty rebukes; we can command darkness to flee, and it will, in Jesus' mighty name.

But we must also be vigilant, as Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. Yet, we are not defenseless. James 4:7 reminds us that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. It's a promise we can claim.

So, let's stand firm, dear brother/sister. Let's live lives worthy of our calling, set apart for God, and clothed in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Let's resist the devil, and he will flee from us. And let's not forget to pray for one another, encouraging each other in this journey of holiness and victory.

In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
 

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◄ 2 Corinthians 6:17 ► Audio Cross Study Comm Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
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