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Set Apart: Discovering Personal Victory through Holiness
Does the life of a holy person sound boring, stiff, or unpleasant? You have a new world to discover! Bruce Wilkinson opens your eyes to the joy of being holy. With one clear goal in mind -- your personal holiness -- the bestselling author introduces you to the three stages of holiness, prepares you to deal victoriously with the "unholy" problems in your life, and introduces you to specific time-tested Holiness Habits. You'll become a whole new man, free to radiate God's glory in this corrupt world.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1998
10 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Bruce H. Wilkinson
160 books287 followersBruce Wilkinson is recognized as one of the world's foremost Christian teachers and speakers. But he is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez, and other bestsellers including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. He is the founder of WorldTeach, a global initiative to train Bible teachers in every nation. Wilkinson also founded Dream for Africa, a humanitarian agency that has taken on AIDS, orphan care and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 23, 2023
I found this book insightful, timely (for me personally), practical. I took my time on this one because, first, it was challenging. Secondly, it hit me a number of times with conviction that I didn’t want to read it.
The books that I have read (or listened) of the author have not disappointed.
The books that I have read (or listened) of the author have not disappointed.
June 1, 2022
This book is inspiring and challenging. I will be going back and reviewing sections. It definitely encouraged me to take a closer look at my walk with the Lord and called me to deepen it. I would recommend almost everything about this book. Almost.
There was one chapter that knocks this down a full star for me. It doesn't make the rest of the book any less powerful, but I wish that this chapter had been crafted differently.
There is a fairly lengthy chapter that is ostensibly about sexual purity. However, it's actually a chapter about sexuality in marriage. I agree that the church does not talk about sexuality and sexual purity well. We either don't talk about it at all or turn it into a fearful, terrible thing that is evil. Wilkinson addresses this to some extent, but I would have to say that this chapter isn't actually about holiness.
The sum total of his advice to singles when it comes to sexual purity is - get married unless you're one of the very few called to singless. The sum total of his advice to married people when it comes to sexual purity is - have a lot of sex. What? I'm pretty sure that just being married doesn't eliminate sexual impurity. And I'm not talking about things like affairs or anything, but just having sex only with your spouse, doesn't mean that your relationship with each other is sexually pure. In one of his examples, he points out that a young woman fairly new in her faith had never been told that sex should be reserved for marriage, but not once does he talk about the fact that simply getting married to her non-believing boyfriend would not make everything okay. Even more frustrating is that the passage he focuses on to discuss proper sexual attitudes within marriage is 1 Corinthians 7:1-5, which is followed by 1 Corinthians 7:6-40, which is a fairly lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of being married vs. remaining single and contains specific guidelines about sexual holiness in both states.
As a single person who has struggled with both my singleness and the challenges of being celibate in a world that douses us with sexuality, I felt considerably dismissed and almost belittled, particularly when the passage in 1 Corinthians ends with Paul saying, hey, I think it's better to stay single and while this is my opinion, I think the Spirit might agree with me.
With all of the discussion and examples throughout the rest of this book, this chapter stands out, and not in a good way. I'm really disappointed in the way this topic was handled.
There was one chapter that knocks this down a full star for me. It doesn't make the rest of the book any less powerful, but I wish that this chapter had been crafted differently.
There is a fairly lengthy chapter that is ostensibly about sexual purity. However, it's actually a chapter about sexuality in marriage. I agree that the church does not talk about sexuality and sexual purity well. We either don't talk about it at all or turn it into a fearful, terrible thing that is evil. Wilkinson addresses this to some extent, but I would have to say that this chapter isn't actually about holiness.
The sum total of his advice to singles when it comes to sexual purity is - get married unless you're one of the very few called to singless. The sum total of his advice to married people when it comes to sexual purity is - have a lot of sex. What? I'm pretty sure that just being married doesn't eliminate sexual impurity. And I'm not talking about things like affairs or anything, but just having sex only with your spouse, doesn't mean that your relationship with each other is sexually pure. In one of his examples, he points out that a young woman fairly new in her faith had never been told that sex should be reserved for marriage, but not once does he talk about the fact that simply getting married to her non-believing boyfriend would not make everything okay. Even more frustrating is that the passage he focuses on to discuss proper sexual attitudes within marriage is 1 Corinthians 7:1-5, which is followed by 1 Corinthians 7:6-40, which is a fairly lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of being married vs. remaining single and contains specific guidelines about sexual holiness in both states.
As a single person who has struggled with both my singleness and the challenges of being celibate in a world that douses us with sexuality, I felt considerably dismissed and almost belittled, particularly when the passage in 1 Corinthians ends with Paul saying, hey, I think it's better to stay single and while this is my opinion, I think the Spirit might agree with me.
With all of the discussion and examples throughout the rest of this book, this chapter stands out, and not in a good way. I'm really disappointed in the way this topic was handled.
March 6, 2021
Bruce Wilkinson is a living legend with his Walk Thru ministry and his Prayer of Jabez. There is so many things to like about this man. One of the problems I have with some books on holiness is how austere they seem I would agree with their emphasis on living a godly life, I just find their description of it often comes across as a bit Victorian. This is not true of Wilkinson. He clearly adheres to high standards himself but avoids the pharisaical trait of placing on others burdens they cannot manage. The book is divided into three parts. He firstly, gives an argument for holiness. Secondly, he gives suggestions on how to overcome temptation and finally, he makes it clear that holiness is borne of good habits. The big takeaway for me is the distinction he makes between the three stages: positional holiness that comes in becoming a Christian; the second stage of presenting yourself to God and the third stage of progressive holiness. In other words, he is under no illusion that whether you have just become a Christian or been a Christian for some time, we all need a little more holiness!
April 15, 2020
I was really blessed reading this insightful book. It has given me a good grip on Biblical holiness. The devil wins half the battle when he is able to muddle us regarding our responsibility and God's provision for us in the battle for holiness. I would say that has been rectified to a large extent in my personal life now, atleast the understanding of my part! The practical do's and dont's given in the last section have served to flamed my passion to pursue holiness with all my heart.
January 10, 2021
Wow! What awesome words and practical advice from Bruce Wilkinson. He doesn't just lay the groundwork for living a life of holiness, he shares personal examples of what he does and what he has gone through to see this treasure of a deep walk with the Lord become reality. Set Apart was not only challenging, but helpful and a taste of greater and greater victory that is possible by choosing to plan for a life of holiness.
November 21, 2019
Will probably go through it again, next time in a group study.
May 25, 2020
Inspirational, biblical and down to earth.
June 7, 2015
"When Christ is in control of our lives, the Holy Spirit is in power. When we let the old man-the sinful nature-be in control, then the Spirit is quenched. The solution is to bring every thought captive, and if we find we have sinned, confess it, and ask Christ to again take control. That's the essence of living by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Various Authors, Victory Over Temptation, Page 196, Paragraph 3.
Are you struggling with a sin or a temptation to sin that you seem to not be able to overcome? Then this may be the book for you. There are various authors in this book that give their counsel on the topic of Temptation.
One of the keys to living a holy life is being filled and led by the Holy Spirit; however, there are others keys, as mentioned in this book, such as:
* Mediating on the Word of God
* Fellowshipping and and being accountable to other believers through Church, Mentorship or a small group
* Prayer: Developing your relationship with God
* Renewing our mind
This book will help one to renew their mind. Also, you will feel comforted knowing that you are not the only man who struggles with temptation.
There are chapters on the temptation of sexual immorality, financial greed, and various others temptations that we can succumb to.
If you are one of those who think you are too spiritual and do not fall into temptation, then the Word of the Lord to you is:
"If you think you are standing firm, take heed, lest you fall." (See 1 Corinthians 10:12)
I think we are in the greatest danger when we develop spiritual pride and don't think we can fall into temptation and are invincible. This is exactly where you adversary the devil wants you...Full of pride and then he will take you down, unless you are equipped with the Word of God to fight back and WIN!. (See Proverbs 16:18)
Are you struggling with a sin or a temptation to sin that you seem to not be able to overcome? Then this may be the book for you. There are various authors in this book that give their counsel on the topic of Temptation.
One of the keys to living a holy life is being filled and led by the Holy Spirit; however, there are others keys, as mentioned in this book, such as:
* Mediating on the Word of God
* Fellowshipping and and being accountable to other believers through Church, Mentorship or a small group
* Prayer: Developing your relationship with God
* Renewing our mind
This book will help one to renew their mind. Also, you will feel comforted knowing that you are not the only man who struggles with temptation.
There are chapters on the temptation of sexual immorality, financial greed, and various others temptations that we can succumb to.
If you are one of those who think you are too spiritual and do not fall into temptation, then the Word of the Lord to you is:
"If you think you are standing firm, take heed, lest you fall." (See 1 Corinthians 10:12)
I think we are in the greatest danger when we develop spiritual pride and don't think we can fall into temptation and are invincible. This is exactly where you adversary the devil wants you...Full of pride and then he will take you down, unless you are equipped with the Word of God to fight back and WIN!. (See Proverbs 16:18)
March 22, 2015
Excellent! A couple dozen excerpts from the writings and sermons of many Godly men, this collection may be directed to the male audience but it's a beneficial read for us all.
I like that each short chapter has a unique approah to the subject of temptations and from a different voice so the read never stalls to get boring nor redundant. And obviously, filled with God's Word.
Bonus study guide at the end of each chapter to fix the point(s) of the lesson and/or to aid a study group.
Considering the way of the world and this culture, every young person ought to be given a copy!
I like that each short chapter has a unique approah to the subject of temptations and from a different voice so the read never stalls to get boring nor redundant. And obviously, filled with God's Word.
Bonus study guide at the end of each chapter to fix the point(s) of the lesson and/or to aid a study group.
Considering the way of the world and this culture, every young person ought to be given a copy!
July 26, 2007
i'll admit i was a bit hesitant to read this book because i wasn't sure what i thought about the author. i'm glad i set that aside, however, because this book on holiness was very good. it made me think and i love books that do that.
November 1, 2007
i'm learning what it means to set your life apart from the world and what holiness means to me personally.
July 30, 2011
To those serious about repenting and living completely pure for Him.
April 17, 2012
This book is a must-read for people pursuing holiness.
November 11, 2012
Really great book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow closer to God and have a more personal relationship with Him. Full of insight from such a mature Christian man.
March 3, 2015
Muito bom para devocional!
December 1, 2015
It was a very inspiring read and was very interesting.
January 29, 2016
Biblical holiness.....read this book and learn and live in pursuit of biblical holiness day after day after day.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews