Separate yourselves so you do not vex your righteous souls…

We have had to draw hard lines with those who would not understand why we cannot be around certain things. Our loved ones such as my own mom and dad, my sister and my brother have been the hardest to work with on these things so we ended having to put up definite boundaries.

We also saw the dangers of bringing our eldest two children with us for street preaching in downtown Austin when they were 6 and 8 years old. We realized that we were putting them in an environment that was vexing their souls due to all the wickedness that was before their eyes. I am accountable for allowing that and I had no excuse and could only repent and pull them to safety.

The carnal Christians see no dangers in all of this as they cherish their friendship with the world over their love for God but we who are aware of the holiness and righteousness of almighty God know that this is a very serious matter with eternal consequences. We know that friendship with the world is enmity with God.

VEX as defined in the Webster’s 1828:

, verb transitive [Latin vexo.]

1. To irritate; to make angry by little provocations; a popular use of the word.

2. To plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict.

Ten thousand torments vex my heart.

3. To disturb; to disquiet; to agitate.

White curl the waves, and the vex'd ocean roars.

4. To trouble; to distress.

I will also vex the hearts of many people. Ezekiel 32:9.

5. To persecute. Acts 12:1.

6. To stretch, as by hooks. [Not in use.]

VEX, verb intransitive To fret; to be teased or irritated.

The Bible's position on the matter:

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 2 Peter 2:7-8

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalm 101:3

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. Ephesians 5:10-12

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2