Separation from the world is not only a biblical concept, but also a vital issue for today. As in Ryle's day, "There is a widely-spread desire to make things pleasant in religion—to saw off the corners and edges of the cross, and to avoid, as far as possible, self-denial." Ryle reminds us of the danger of friendship with the world. He shows what true separation is not, and then what it does consist of. Finally, we learn that the secret of real victory over the world is the Christian's heart renewed by the Holy Spirit, manifest in a living faith and bold confession of Christ.