Bluntly speaking, it means you are going to go through a spiritual divorce. But divorce is really the second step. The first step is examining the motives of your heart. It means that you search your heart and motives and make sure you shut the door behind you with a clean heart and clean hands. You make sure you are responding to His voice and not the rebellious voices in your head. It means your leaving, not becomes it offers an exciting opportunity to jump on the next spiritual bandwagon. Most of all, it doesn't mean that you are running from something but to something - namely Him.
It means that you have reached the absolute conviction that God has called you to leave and you can do so without stings attachment, second-guessing or wrong motives. It means that your decision is not shrouded in confusion, second-guessing and guilt. “Coming Out” you leave with everything - body and mind, heart and soul. It means you leave empty-handed.
It means that you search your heart and motives and make sure you shut the door behind you with a clean heart and clean motives. You make sure you are responding to His voice and not the deceptive voices in your head. It means your leaving, not becomes it offers an exciting opportunity to jump on the latest spiritual bandwagon. It means you leave empty-handed.
It means you have reached a point where you can make a clean break with a clean heart and right motives. It means that you are fully convinced before God that you ae doing the right thing and your decision is not the by-product of peer pressure, guilt trips or the expectation of others. You are doing it not because others have talked you into it but God has talked you into it.
It means that you are ready to step out in faith and trust Him to lead your steps. It means you are willing to accept a major paradigm change in your life. It means you have made the commitment to leave behind any emotional attachments, affection or involvements that would hold you back and sow doubt. It means that you are ready to forsake the well-worn rythimes of the church life you once embraced. It means you stop supporting it, giving to it, participating in it, fearing it or being intimidated by it.
It often means that you are ready to stand alone. It will often mean that no matter how hard you try to make a clean bread you will face the inevitable opposition, rejection and condemnation that will come – often from those who were your closest relationships. It means you will lose former friends – not because you have forsaken them but because they will forsake you. It means that you are prepared to become a spiritual pariah to many of your fellow churchgoers. It means accepting the stigma of being censored, marginalized and black-listed because of the stand you are making.
Furthermore, not only will you have to weather the negative reactions of others, you will have to face down any self-doubts, feelings of unfaithfulness and guilt that may try to follow you.
No one said that leaving is easy. It will cost you your life.