What are three things that separate us from God?

     From the very beginning of creation, God’s heart has always been to dwell in fellowship with humanity. He created Adam and Eve in His image and placed them in Eden for communion with Him. However, the moment sin entered, separation followed. The Bible consistently shows us that certain forces, attitudes, and choices create a barrier between us and the presence of God.

     The good news is that through Jesus Christ, the bridge to God has been restored. But to live in consistent intimacy with Him, we must identify and avoid the things that create separation. This guide highlights three major things that separate us from God: sin, unbelief, and love of the world.

1. Sin – The Great Divider

   “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

     Sin is the number one cause of separation between God and man. It is rebellion against God’s will, a violation of His holy standards. From the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, sin broke fellowship with God, leading to spiritual death and exile from His presence.

Biblical Examples

● Adam and Eve: Their disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit led to them being cast out of Eden, losing direct fellowship with God (Genesis 3:23–24).

● Cain: After killing his brother Abel, Cain was banished, becoming a restless wanderer, cut off from the Lord’s presence (Genesis 4:11–16).

● Israel: Time and again, Israel’s sins led to God withdrawing His presence, as in the days of the prophets when judgment came because of their idolatry (Jeremiah 5:25).

Why Sin Separates

● God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Sin is unholy and incompatible with His nature.

● Sin brings guilt and condemnation, making us hide from God just as Adam and Eve hid in the garden (Genesis 3:8).

● Sin blinds spiritual eyes, dulls sensitivity to God’s Spirit, and breaks communication with Him.

     But praise God—through Christ’s sacrifice, forgiveness is available. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

2. Unbelief – The Silent Separator

  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

     Faith is the key to accessing God. Unbelief, therefore, is a barrier. To draw near to God, one must believe that He exists and trust His promises. Without this, fellowship with Him becomes impossible.

Biblical Examples

● The Israelites in the wilderness: Despite seeing God’s mighty works in Egypt, they failed to trust Him to bring them into the Promised Land. Because of their unbelief, an entire generation perished in the desert (Hebrews 3:19).

● Thomas: After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas doubted the testimony of the disciples. It took Jesus personally showing His wounds before Thomas believed (John 20:27).

● Nazareth: Jesus could not do many miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5–6).

Why Unbelief Separates

● It questions God’s integrity and makes Him out to be untrustworthy.

● It blocks the flow of God’s promises in our lives, because faith is the channel through which grace operates (Ephesians 2:8).

● It opens the door to fear, worry, and disobedience, which hinder our spiritual growth.

     Unbelief is subtle—it doesn’t always look like rebellion. Sometimes it’s simply failing to trust God’s Word when circumstances look overwhelming. But when we choose faith, even against all odds, we move closer to God. “Abraham did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” (Romans 4:20).

3. Love of the World – Divided Affections

  “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”  1 John 2:15

     Another major barrier to intimacy with God is love for the world. The “world” here refers to the system of values, pleasures, and desires that are contrary to God’s will. A heart that is entangled with worldly passions cannot be fully surrendered to God.

Biblical Examples

● Lot’s wife: She looked back at Sodom with longing and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Her heart was still attached to worldly things.

● Demas: Once a companion of Paul, Demas abandoned the faith because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).

● The rich young ruler: He walked away from Jesus sorrowful because he could not let go of his possessions (Matthew 19:22).

Why Love of the World Separates

● It creates divided loyalty. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24).

● It leads to compromise. When worldly success, pleasures, or possessions become a priority, God becomes secondary.

● It chokes the Word of God. In the parable of the sower, the seed among thorns represented those choked by the cares and riches of this life (Luke 8:14).

     To overcome, believers must set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), live as pilgrims on earth (Hebrews 11:13), and treasure Christ above all else.

How Jesus Restores the Separation

    The beauty of the gospel is that while sin, unbelief, and worldliness separate us from God, Jesus Christ has made a way back.

● For sin: His blood brings forgiveness and reconciliation (Romans 5:10).

● For unbelief: He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), strengthening our trust in God.

● For love of the world: His Spirit empowers us to live holy, detached from worldly corruption (Galatians 5:16).

    Through Him, the veil of separation was torn (Matthew 27:51), granting us direct access to God.

What You Must Do

1. Examine your life for hidden sin. Repent quickly and walk in the light (1 John 1:7).

2. Strengthen your faith by feeding daily on God’s Word (Romans 10:17) and remembering His past faithfulness.

3. Guard your heart against worldly desires. Ask the Spirit to keep your affection fixed on Christ and eternal treasures.

     The three things that separate us from God—sin, unbelief, and love of the world—are as real today as they were in biblical times. Yet, God’s desire is not distance but closeness. He calls us to repent of sin, walk by faith, and set our hearts on Him alone.

     By the power of the Holy Spirit and through the work of Christ, every barrier can be broken. What once separated us can now be healed in His presence. Let us, therefore, draw near with a true heart, fully assured of faith, holding fast to the hope we have in Christ (Hebrews 10:22–23).