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Post by mystic on Oct 2, 2021 6:39:25 GMT -8
Are there any 'clear' scriptures which specifically states we are not to support or associate ourselves with people who support evil doings or people who do evil? I found this here but none of them addresses this I am thinking and Paul's scripture only addresses us not associating with the sinners directly. www.openbible.info/topics/supporting_someone_that_support_evil
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Post by alon on Oct 2, 2021 7:07:22 GMT -8
Are there any 'clear' scriptures which specifically states we are not to support or associate ourselves with people who support evil doings or people who do evil? I found this here but none of them addresses this I am thinking and Paul's scripture only addresses us not associating with the sinners directly. www.openbible.info/topics/supporting_someone_that_support_evil There are some good ones in that list. I'd add: 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (ESV) No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Go back through your list and look at it from the perspective of gleaning principles rather than looking for one that says it like you would. I think you'll find a few that apply (that actually might make a good meditation exercise). Getting ready to go to Shabbat services now, otherwise I might meditate on that a while myself. It's an extremely important and timely question, as there are so many seemingly good causes asking for our money. Just my personal view, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (Gal 5.9). If I see any evil, I just move on to another where there is no evil.
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Post by mystic on Oct 2, 2021 8:45:32 GMT -8
I did but still nothing directly addressing people who support evildoers. Everything I am finding is only addressing evildoers themselves.
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Post by alon on Oct 2, 2021 16:24:23 GMT -8
We are not to associate ourselves with evil. That would necessarily mean not associating with those who do evil.
Association with those who do evil will corrupt your ways with evil.
Hold on to good friends and associates, let go of the evil ones.
Romans 12:1b-2 present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. You can associate with the world or have fellowship with God. But not both.
Sometimes evil looks good. We must exercise discernment or we may be following those who do evil.
Then we are also told to separate the holy and the profane (common):
Ezekiel 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
1 Peter 1:15-16
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 2 Corinthians 6:14-16a
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
So are we to have nothing to do at all with anyone who does evil? I don't think it is saying that. We still live in this world and people we know will sometimes do evil things. But we do not have to participate in their evil, and we are to be a witness to them. But supporting them in their evil, which would effectively be participating in their evil is forbidden to believers. We are holy, set apart to God. We cannot be holy if we participate in the profane.
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Post by mystic on Oct 3, 2021 2:59:04 GMT -8
All great points, thanks! What's really throwing me here is I know someone who says she "loves a person" but that person practices evil so I am wondering if I should associate myself with her? I remember Christ sat and ate sinners and came to save the lost and we are to hate the sin, not the sinner and pray for our enemies and all that.
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Post by alon on Oct 3, 2021 10:17:24 GMT -8
All great points, thanks! What's really throwing me here is I know someone who says she "loves a person" but that person practices evil so I am wondering if I should associate myself with her? I remember Christ sat and ate sinners and came to save the lost and we are to hate the sin, not the sinner and pray for our enemies and all that. Reread my last paragraph above. A casual acquaintance with an old friend is one thing. But as your friend is drawn more into whatever evil her new boyfriend is in to you should (because you hate sin) find your relationship more and more strained anyhow. Also, since you cannot give even tacit agreement to the evil they practice the relationship will be strained from that end as well. And always remember, Yeshua witnessed to sinners, even ate with them; but He never agreed with, approved of, or participated in their evil ways.
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