Bad Associations
In the course of looking for more items to examine, I stumbled on a listing of verses that have to do with bad associations. These are associations with individuals that would lead you astray from following the Lord. A hint of how the Lord views this can be found in the first chapter of the Psalms.
Psalms 1:1-2 (NASB)
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
[Ps 1:1] How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the *path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Notice in this passage that this man, who is blessed, doesn't listen to wicked counsel and he doesn't go along the same path as sinners and he doesn't scorn others. This is a man who stays away from bad associations. This is a man who trusts in the Word of God. In fact this man goes one step further, he delights in the Word of God and he mulls it over in his mind day and night. If you do that, I guarantee you that you will think twice about associating with bad individuals. You will know them instinctively by their actions. Proverbs further tells us that we shouldn't even enter the wicked man's path (the direction that his life is going). We don't enter it nor do we proceed in the same way as evil men. We are called to be different, not of the same mold as the world, but built from the mold wielded by God.
Proverbs 4:14-15 (NASB)
[14] Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
[15] Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
The book of Proverbs also indicates that we are not to associate with a man who gets angry all the time. The obvious thought on this is that we are normally given to placating such a person so we would naturally follow what he wants us to do. That might not be in the express will of God for us, and it might go against God's Word. So we don't even start the association.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NASB)
[24] Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
[25] Or you will learn his ways
And *find a snare for yourself.
Just because a person is successful we are not to be envious of them. Our desire to have riches will make us susceptible to the evil man's plans if he is rich. We should not be (1) envious nor (2) desiring to be with them if they are evil, even if they have a lot of money. To do so will cause us to fall into their ways and we would be caught up in their schemes. Not a good idea.
Proverbs 24:1-2 (NASB)
CHAPTER 24
Precepts and Warnings
[24:1] Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
[2] For their *minds devise violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.
We are not to associate with an immoral person, even if he claims to be a brother. Look at the list of things that this person may drag us into if we associate with them. Once in, it would be difficult to get out. Not only that but our witness for Christ would suffer.
1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)
[11] But *actually, I wrote to you not to associate *with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
Bottom line - don't be bound (association, marriage, etc.) with unbelievers. To be bound would mean that we are obligated to follow their code of conduct. This would not be befitting of our calling as Heirs of the Promise.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB)
[14] Do not be *bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
I had always heard it said to not be unequally yoked and to not associate with someone that would ruin your reputation. Lord knows you can ruin your reputation easily by yourself without anyone else's help. We therefore must walk cautiously in this world, making sure that we are able to follow the Lord's leading.
Psalms 1:1-2 (NASB)
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
[Ps 1:1] How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the *path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Notice in this passage that this man, who is blessed, doesn't listen to wicked counsel and he doesn't go along the same path as sinners and he doesn't scorn others. This is a man who stays away from bad associations. This is a man who trusts in the Word of God. In fact this man goes one step further, he delights in the Word of God and he mulls it over in his mind day and night. If you do that, I guarantee you that you will think twice about associating with bad individuals. You will know them instinctively by their actions. Proverbs further tells us that we shouldn't even enter the wicked man's path (the direction that his life is going). We don't enter it nor do we proceed in the same way as evil men. We are called to be different, not of the same mold as the world, but built from the mold wielded by God.
Proverbs 4:14-15 (NASB)
[14] Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
[15] Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
The book of Proverbs also indicates that we are not to associate with a man who gets angry all the time. The obvious thought on this is that we are normally given to placating such a person so we would naturally follow what he wants us to do. That might not be in the express will of God for us, and it might go against God's Word. So we don't even start the association.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NASB)
[24] Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
[25] Or you will learn his ways
And *find a snare for yourself.
Just because a person is successful we are not to be envious of them. Our desire to have riches will make us susceptible to the evil man's plans if he is rich. We should not be (1) envious nor (2) desiring to be with them if they are evil, even if they have a lot of money. To do so will cause us to fall into their ways and we would be caught up in their schemes. Not a good idea.
Proverbs 24:1-2 (NASB)
CHAPTER 24
Precepts and Warnings
[24:1] Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
[2] For their *minds devise violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.
We are not to associate with an immoral person, even if he claims to be a brother. Look at the list of things that this person may drag us into if we associate with them. Once in, it would be difficult to get out. Not only that but our witness for Christ would suffer.
1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)
[11] But *actually, I wrote to you not to associate *with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
Bottom line - don't be bound (association, marriage, etc.) with unbelievers. To be bound would mean that we are obligated to follow their code of conduct. This would not be befitting of our calling as Heirs of the Promise.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB)
[14] Do not be *bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
I had always heard it said to not be unequally yoked and to not associate with someone that would ruin your reputation. Lord knows you can ruin your reputation easily by yourself without anyone else's help. We therefore must walk cautiously in this world, making sure that we are able to follow the Lord's leading.