Set Apart
Read This Week: Leviticus 20
Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not reject you. You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. – Leviticus 20:7, 22-23 NIV
Much of our study of Leviticus and our Greater Responsibility as believers has been sobering and convicting. It has challenged us to think more deeply about our lives, our worship of God, our community, and our accountability to the Lord, ourselves, and others. However, Leviticus 20 might be among the most sobering chapters in the Bible, as it outlines a series of behaviors and sins, along with the corresponding consequences for disobeying God’s commands. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is for anyone serious about emulating the character of God in the world on our daily journeys. Once again, this passage emphasizes God’s call for His people to live distinct and holy lives, separate from the cultural practices of those around us.
One of the primary themes is accountability. It details severe consequences for practices such as child sacrifice, sexual immorality, idolatry, and consulting with mediums or spirits in the dark arts. While the penalties may seem harsh from a modern perspective, they highlight the seriousness with which God always views actions that corrupt society and dishonor His holy covenant. The underlying principle for us is another reiteration that sin not only damages the heart and life of an individual but also impacts all in our circles of influence. By setting these boundaries, God was protecting Israel from moral decay and guiding them to be a people whose lives reflected His character.
Likewise, God calls us to live in a way that reflects His character by shaping our choices, values, and relationships around His holiness, goodness, mercy, and love. He doesn’t just give us standards and rules to follow, but also provides guidance from the Holy Spirit, so that our lives demonstrate integrity, compassion, and faithfulness. By walking in His ways, we can regularly demonstrate His justice, mercy, and goodness to the world, becoming a living reflection of who He is and pointing others back to Him.
Another key insight is the repeated challenge to be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy. Holiness, in this context, as in others, means being set apart or not blending into cultural norms that undermine faithfulness to Christ. For us, this doesn’t mean adopting the practices of ancient laws, but instead applying the principle of distinctiveness: choosing to live with integrity, whether in public or private, treating others as we would want to be treated, and committing to purity and justice in a world where compromise is often easier. In practical terms, this could mean setting personal boundaries in relationships, resisting the lure of idolatry in the form of money or status, reading God’s word instead of trusting in things the culture purveys, and cultivating habits that reflect God’s heart for truth and love.
Finally, Leviticus 20 serves as a reminder that God’s people are called to a greater responsibility to represent Him. The chapter ends with the vision of being set apart from the nations, not out of pride or superiority, but as a testimony of God’s righteousness and goodness. In a modern setting, this challenges us to think carefully about how our values, ethics, and actions demonstrate who we belong to. Living as set apart doesn’t isolate us from the world; instead, it allows us to serve it faithfully as a light pointing back to God.
Leviticus chapter 20 Verse 26
And you shall be holy to me; for I The Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.
Leviticus chapter 20 Verse 27
A man or woman who is a medium and has a familiar Spirit or is a wizard shall surely be put to death, be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.
~The Call To Serve~
God Is Saying To Me:
My child, you shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy. I have separated you from all other nations and religion that does not worship Me. You are called with a divine nature to be holy and distinct and I have separated you to be My own.
What This Means To Me:
God loves everyone and when we are called by Him to serve Him and only Him, we are separate bathed in holiness just for Him. God calls us to a higher standard, separate from the world’s way, devoted to Him and to be obedient to all His commands, I must pattern my life after the holiness of Christ. I must intentionally embrace the mission to make my life and God’s work believable in an unbelieving world. May I step out and welcome the privilege of serving a holy God and the identity from God that He has called me to live, fully understanding that being different and set apart today and forever is a good thing and a holy action to please, honor and worship Him.
These Are Thoughts From Father God On Verse 27
~Have No Other Gods Before You~
God Is Saying To Me:
I have called you to a higher standard and greater responsibility. You know now that I am holy and expect you to remain rid of evil practices and to honor and worship Me! You shall have no other gods before you. You are holy too!
What This Means To Me:
God directs the Israelites to be holy and to be a distinct people, operating separately from other nations. We too must separate ourselves from the world’s ways and beliefs. I am to worship God and follow in His instructions, directions and practices. It’s important to not become interconnected with groups or associates and I must maintain spiritual integrity in my family, communities and churches. God always sends me those that love and honor Him to guide me into the promised land. For the Israelites that promised Land was Canaan. For today, and for me, that is everlasting life with God, not death! ❤️❤️❤️
Leviticus 20:26 (AMP):
“You are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”
Leviticus 20 – The Continuation of God’s Call to Holiness
Leviticus 20 is the continuation of God’s call to live differently. Holiness matters to Him. Our Father is showing us not only what to avoid but also the positive way of life—making choices that matter.
Holiness isn’t just a one-time moment at the altar. It’s a continual, daily call. God doesn’t just say “be holy” once
He repeats it and unfolds it throughout these chapters. Salvation is a one-time work of grace through Jesus. We don’t have to keep getting saved over and over again. But holiness is different from salvation. Holiness is a daily walk—a continual call.
In Leviticus, the altar was the place where sacrifices were made. But God’s call didn’t end at the altar. His people had to learn how to live differently after they walked away. For us today, we don’t have to bring animals anymore. Jesus is our sacrifice once and for all. Now we bring our hearts and our lives, just as Romans 12:1 says: “present your bodies… dedicating all of yourself, set apart, as a living sacrifice.”
That means holiness isn’t just about the moment you prayed, or the time you were at church when the message touched your heart and you cried.
Holiness is what happens afterward. It’s about waking up each day and choosing God’s ways—doing what you told Him you would do, following through, and making it a lifestyle.
Holiness shows up in how you talk, how you treat people, how you set boundaries, how you pray and listen for God’s voice. It isn’t simply rules and warnings—it’s full of God’s presence. It’s the joy you feel when you live close to Him. It’s the assurance that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are right there, helping you walk through whatever comes your way.
Holiness is your heart saying “yes” to God—yes to His ways, yes to leaving behind what hurts you, yes to the life He made for you. It’s knowing you belong to your Father God, and you don’t have to fit into the world’s ways. Holiness is freedom—not being chained to old habits, sins, or lies—but free to live in His peace and truth.
Holiness is worship—not just in church, but in daily life. It’s waking up and choosing to talk with Him, listen for His voice, and ask Him to shape your heart. When you said “yes” to Him the first time, He was right there—and He still is, every day, every moment, guiding you.
Holiness also means wisdom. Loving others doesn’t mean allowing harmful influences into your life. It means showing compassion while standing firm in God’s truth. We are His representatives—His “billboards” to the world—shining His light in a dark place.
Leviticus 20 feels like a chapter in God’s family book, where He sits down with His children—Israel then, and us now—and shares His heart about how to live in a way that reflects His love, protects the community, and carries the weight of our calling. It’s our Father saying, “I want you close. I want you to be happy with Me, living a life that matters.”
Father God,
Thank You for calling us to be set apart for You. Please help us to walk in Your will and in Your ways—not just in moments at the altar, but in the everyday places of our lives. Teach us to consecrate ourselves daily, to choose what is holy and pleasing to You.
Lord, we know holiness is not a burden but a gift—a way of life that brings freedom, peace, and joy in Your presence. Remind us that we belong to You, that we carry Your name, and that our choices matter. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to reflect Your love in how we live, how we speak, how we set boundaries, and how we treat others.
Thank You that through Jesus, we are no longer bound to sin but are free to live as Your children. May our lives be like billboards that display Your goodness to a world that needs Your light. We choose to say yes to You again today, and every day. Love you your girl ❤️
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
“Is it enough to simply avoid doing wrong yourself—or does God also hold us accountable when we condone it in others?”
So many times in life I’ve found myself going along with something I knew was wrong, just because it was easier than saying anything. And when I do that, I’m not just staying quiet—I’m actually giving my approval. That can cause someone else to stumble because they think it must be okay. But it’s not okay, and it never will be.
The truth is, sin isn’t only about what we personally do. It’s also about what we tolerate, what we laugh at, and what we silently give a thumbs up to. That’s the challenge we all face—are we living in a way that makes it clear where we stand?
1. Don’t condone what’s wrong — silence can still give approval.
Even when we don’t join in, staying quiet can make it seem like we agree. That quiet approval can cause others to stumble.
2. Live set apart — holiness requires daily choices.
Being holy means choosing differently in the small, everyday things. It shows that our lives belong to God.
3. Protect what matters — sin spreads damage beyond you.
Sin never stops with one person. It reaches families, communities, and the blessings God intended for us.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Leviticus 20
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250831-worship1wav.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250831-message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250831-worship2.wav
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This week in Leviticus chapter 20 I have a song
Holy
Holy holy holy oh Lord, fill our hearts with your love holy holy holy oh Lord, fill our heart with your love we know your heart beats for your children, wanting all to be saved. We want to live holy every day we want to honor our Lord showing his love, his kindness his blessings. Let’s be the light the light for our Lord flickering, bright, bringing some who wonder Out of darkness letting them know. His word his love his way is the only way holy holy oh Lord, fill our hearts with your love holy holy Lord Fill our hearts with your Love Amen
Living with God is amazing living in his spirit being holy, fills his heart with joy amen