LIGHT AND DARKNESS CANNOT MIX – Living a Separated Life unto God
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 5:8-11; John 8:12; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9-10; James 4:4
OPENING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this precious moment in Your presence. You are the Father of lights, and in You there is no darkness at all. Today, we gather with open hearts to learn at Your feet and to be transformed by Your Word.
Lord, as we study the truth that light and darkness cannot mix, open our spiritual understanding. Let Your Word expose every hidden work of darkness in our lives and fill us afresh with the light of Your holiness, righteousness, and truth.
Grant us the grace to live a separated and consecrated life unto You. Let Your Spirit convict, cleanse, and empower us to walk as children of light in this dark world. May everything said and done today glorify Your holy name.
Father, take absolute control of this session; speak to us, teach us, and let Your light shine through us. We bind every spirit of distraction and confusion, and we declare that Jesus alone will be exalted in our midst.
Thank You, Lord, for the victory of light over darkness.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen.
INTRODUCTION
The Christian life is a call to separation. It is not a call to isolation from the world, but a call to distinction in character, conduct, and conviction. God’s people are called to walk in light while the world abides in darkness. From the beginning of creation, God made a clear distinction between light and darkness (Genesis 1:3-4). That separation remains the foundation of all divine order.
In the same way, when a person comes to Christ, he is translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). The two realms: light and darkness are eternally opposed and cannot mix. Every true believer must therefore make a conscious decision to live a separated life unto God.
Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 is one of the clearest biblical calls to separation. He warns believers against unequal yoking with unbelievers and emphasises that there is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial. Living a life of separation is not optional; it is the mark of genuine discipleship and the pathway to divine intimacy.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS
a) Light Symbolises God’s Nature
Light in Scripture represents purity, truth, holiness, and divine presence. God Himself is called Light (1 John 1:5). To walk in the light is to live in fellowship with Him and in obedience to His Word. When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), He was declaring Himself as the embodiment of divine truth and the revelation of God’s nature to humanity.
b) Darkness Symbolises Sin and Ignorance
Darkness represents moral corruption, spiritual blindness, and rebellion against God. Those who live in darkness are controlled by sin, led by ignorance, and enslaved by the devil (Ephesians 2:1–3). Darkness hides truth and promotes deception.
c) Light and Darkness Are Incompatible
Just as day and night cannot exist together, light and darkness cannot coexist in the same heart or life. When light enters, darkness flees. The believer must therefore choose one realm. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
d) The Call to Walk in the Light
Believers are not only called to receive light but to walk in it daily (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light means living in righteousness, transparency, and obedience to God’s will. It is a continuous journey of sanctification.
e) Biblical Example:
The Israelites in Egypt — When darkness covered the land of Egypt, the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Exodus 10:21-23). God made a clear separation between His people and the world. This is symbolic of the believer’s position in a dark world.
2. THE MEANING OF SEPARATION UNTO GOD
a) Separation Is a Divine Requirement
God has always demanded separation from His people. In Leviticus 20:26, He said, “You shall be holy unto Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people.” Holiness means being set apart for God’s purpose.
b) Separation Is Not Isolation
Living a separated life does not mean cutting off all contact with unbelievers. Jesus ate with sinners, yet He was never influenced by them. Separation is about influence, allegiance, and identity; not physical withdrawal.
c) Separation Begins in the Heart
Before it becomes a lifestyle, separation begins in the heart. A heart devoted to God will naturally reject ungodly associations and practices (Proverbs 4:23).
d) Separation Is Both Negative and Positive
Negatively, it means coming out from everything unclean or ungodly. Positively, it means coming into a deeper fellowship with God. God said, “Come out from among them… and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
e) Biblical Example:
Abraham — God called Abraham to leave his country, kindred, and father’s house (Genesis 12:1). His obedience marked the beginning of a covenant relationship with God. Separation led to elevation.
3. BIBLICAL WARNINGS AGAINST MIXING LIGHT AND DARKNESS
a) Unequal Yoke in Relationships
Paul warns against being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). This applies to marriage, business partnerships, and close alliances. An unequal yoke occurs when believers bind themselves with those who do not share their faith or values.
b) Spiritual Compromise Weakens Testimony
When a believer mixes with worldly influences, his spiritual authority is weakened. Lot’s compromise in Sodom cost him his testimony and peace (Genesis 19:1-16).
c) Worldly Friendship Is Enmity with God
James 4:4 declares that friendship with the world is enmity with God. The world’s values: pride, immorality, greed, cannot coexist with godly character.
d) Mixing Light and Darkness Brings Confusion
A double life leads to confusion, hypocrisy, and spiritual stagnation (Matthew 6:22-23). God desires a single-hearted devotion from His children.
e) Biblical Example:
Samson — He mixed with Philistine women and played with sin. Though anointed, his compromise led to his downfall (Judges 16). His story warns us that anointing without separation leads to destruction.
4. AREAS WHERE BELIEVERS MUST LIVE SEPARATED LIVES
a) In Worship
True worship must be in spirit and truth (John 4:24). God rejects polluted worship; worship mixed with worldly entertainment or idolatry.
b) In Relationships
Believers must choose companions who strengthen their faith, not those who drag them into sin (Psalm 1:1-2). Friendship is a form of influence.
c) In Speech and Conduct
Our words and actions must reflect our identity in Christ (Colossians 4:6). The believer’s language should be seasoned with grace, not corruption.
d) In Thought and Desire
Romans 12:2 urges believers not to conform to this world but to be transformed by renewing their minds. True separation begins in thought life before it manifests outwardly.
e) Biblical Example:
Daniel — Though living in Babylon, Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meat (Daniel 1:8). His inner separation led to divine promotion and influence.
5. REASONS WHY LIGHT AND DARKNESS CANNOT MIX
a) They Represent Opposing Kingdoms
The kingdom of light is ruled by Christ; the kingdom of darkness by Satan (Colossians 1:13). These two kingdoms are in constant conflict and cannot cooperate.
b) They Have Opposing Natures
Light exposes; darkness conceals. Light produces life; darkness brings death. The believer’s nature has been changed; he cannot thrive in darkness anymore (2 Corinthians 5:17).
c) Mixing Them Dishonours God
God is holy and cannot fellowship with sin. When believers mix with darkness, it grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
d) Mixture Leads to Spiritual Weakness
Compromise drains spiritual power. A divided heart cannot carry divine authority. Elijah challenged Israel, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).
e) Biblical Example:
King Solomon — He started in light but ended in darkness because he married foreign women who turned his heart from God (1 Kings 11:1–10).
6. THE BENEFITS OF LIVING A SEPARATED LIFE
a) Divine Acceptance
God promises, “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Separation brings intimacy with God.
b) Spiritual Authority
A separated life carries divine authority to resist evil and manifest God’s power. Purity is power.
c) Clarity of Purpose
When you live separated, you hear God more clearly and walk in His direction without confusion (Isaiah 30:21).
d) Protection from Corruption
God shields those who stay apart from worldly contamination (Psalm 91:1-10).
e) Biblical Example:
Joseph — He refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife and maintained his purity. His separation led to divine promotion (Genesis 39–41).
7. PRACTICAL STEPS TO LIVE A SEPARATED LIFE
a) Renew Your Mind Daily
Feed on the Word of God. Let Scripture reshape your thoughts and values (Romans 12:2).
b) Guard Your Associations
Be selective about friendships, entertainment, and influences (1 Corinthians 15:33).
c) Cultivate a Life of Prayer and the Word
Separation is sustained by communion with God (Psalm 119:9–11).
d) Stay Accountable to Godly Mentors
Fellowship with mature believers keeps you spiritually stable and disciplined (Hebrews 10:25).
e) Biblical Example:
Enoch — He walked with God for 300 years and was not found because God took him (Genesis 5:24). His life of consistent separation earned him divine approval.
8. CONSEQUENCES OF COMPROMISE AND MIXTURE
a) Loss of Divine Presence
When light mixes with darkness, the presence of God withdraws (Judges 16:20).
b) Loss of Testimony
Compromise destroys credibility before men (Matthew 5:13).
c) Spiritual Bondage
Worldly compromise opens doors to demonic influence (Romans 6:16).
d) Eternal Regret
Those who refuse separation risk losing eternal reward (Matthew 7:21-23).
e) Biblical Example:
Demas — He loved this present world and abandoned Paul (2 Timothy 4:10). His love for the world cost him his destiny.
9. GOD’S PROMISE TO THE SEPARATED BELIEVER
a) Divine Presence and Protection (Isaiah 52:11-12)
Those who separate themselves are accompanied by God’s presence.
b) Divine Provision (Psalm 84:11)
God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly.
c) Divine Promotion (Genesis 41:41-44)
Those who maintain their purity are lifted in due time.
d) Divine Fellowship (Revelation 3:20)
God delights in intimate fellowship with the separated.
e) Biblical Example:
Elijah — He stood alone for God on Mount Carmel and saw divine fire fall. Separation produces manifestation.
10. THE FINAL CALL TO SEPARATION
a) Come Out and Be Distinct
The world is full of moral pollution; the Church must not blend in. God’s voice still calls: “Come out from among them.”
b) Be Transformed, Not Conformed
Romans 12:2 challenges us to resist conformity and embrace transformation.
c) Shine as Lights in the World
Philippians 2:15 commands believers to shine as lights in a crooked generation.
d) Keep Your Garments White
Revelation 16:15 warns believers to stay spiritually clean and watchful.
e) Biblical Example:
The Early Church — They lived holy and separated lives, and as a result, the power of God was evident among them (Acts 4:31-33).
CONCLUSION
The believer’s call is a call to distinction. We are not of the world, even though we live in it (John 17:14-16). The line between light and darkness must never be blurred. When we maintain separation, we preserve our testimony, enjoy divine fellowship, and become vessels fit for the Master’s use.
Let every believer hear the Spirit’s call today: to come out from the world’s corruption, to walk in the light, and to live wholly unto God. Remember, light and darkness cannot mix.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the light of Your Word that has shone in our hearts today. Thank You for reminding us that as Your children, we are called to be separate from the works of darkness and to walk in the light of Your truth.
Lord, we ask that the Word we have received will not depart from our hearts. Let it take deep root within us and produce fruits of holiness, righteousness, and obedience. Wherever darkness has tried to hide in our lives, let Your glorious light expose and dispel it completely.
Father, help us to live daily as true ambassadors of light in a dark world. Give us the courage to stand firm, to be different, and to reflect Your nature in everything we do. Strengthen us to overcome every temptation to compromise, and keep us pure and undefiled until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we go forth, let Your presence go with us. May Your light guide our steps, brighten our paths, and shine through us for others to see and glorify Your name.
Thank You, Lord, for making us children of light.
We give You all the praise, honour, and glory.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen.
