There are believers who live unrepentant sinful lives. Yes, we all sin but a godly believer hates their sin, confesses it, repents, and tries not to sin again. But some believers live a lifestyle of sin and God says you should avoid them and cast them out of your group!
9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 But God judges outsiders. Put away the evil person from among yourselves. (1 Cor 5:9-11)
14 And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet don’t treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thes 3:14-15)
The passages above say you should avoid believers who commit big sins like sexually immorality, idolatry, or not trying to live according to Scripture. But those passages also warn you not to associate with people who are greedy, verbally abusive, drunkards, or swindlers. You need to take this seriously because their sinful and unrepentant lifestyle could rub off on you if you associate with them. Look at this:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife … Let him who has done this be removed from among you … Don’t you know that a little yeast permeates the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch. You are indeed unleavened, for Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. (1 Cor 5:6-7)
All Christians still sin but not all Christian’s are living sinful, unrepentant, and ungodly lives. You should not be associating with believers who have a sinful and immoral lifestyle. They are toxic and should be avoided.
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Cor 15:33)
Think about it
Do you know any professing believers who live sinful lifestyles (Sexually immoral, not concerned about following Scripture, greedy, etc)?
Name some reasons why you shouldn’t associate with them.
Are you willing to obey Scripture and avoid them? Are you a believer who lives a sinful and unrepentant lifestyle? What kind of influence do you think you are on other believers? Will God be pleased with your ‘fruit’?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 