Do not associate with evil doers

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pwlj_christ871

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what exactly does it mean do not associate with e vil doers, does that mean not talk to them, call them or be around them?? I obviously know what association is, im just looking for clarification
 
Well if evil doers means sinners then we’d all be alone because we all sin, and often. As far as “evil” that is a very vague term in general.
 
there is a verse in the bible about this…i am not making it up
 
Which verse specifically are you referring to? In 1 Corinthians 5:11, St. Paul wrote, “But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person.” In context, he is clarifying a point he apparently made in an earlier letter about not associating with the wicked:

1 Cor. 5:9-13:
" I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people, not at all referring to the immoral of this world or the greedy and robbers or idolaters; for you would then have to leave the world. But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person. For why should I be judging outsiders? Is it not your business to judge those within? God will judge those outside. Purge the evil person from your midst.”
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He is clarifying that he is not saying we can’t associate with any of the people in the world who do evil, he is saying that we need to be careful about permitting the practice of evil within the Christian community. I am not sure he meant this as an absolute directive for all times everywhere. Still, there are some valid, ever relevant points implicit in what he writes. For example:
  1. The entire Christian community suffers when its members do evil. It tarnishes the Church’s reputation and it corrupts others within the Church.
  2. Distancing ourselves from those who do evil can help protect ourselves from corruption and protect the Church’s reputation.
  3. We need to have clarity within the Church that certain behaviors are not acceptable.
Those are just a few points that come to mind. Earlier in that same chapter, St. Paul writes of a man he’s heard about in the community who is living with his father’s wife. He exhorts the community to “deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 5:5) The commentary notes explain that “delivering him to Satan” basically means leaving him to the world. But note that the reason St. Paul wants this done is so that the man’s spirit “may be saved on the day of the Lord.” Expelling the man from the community is intended to make the man realize that his behavior is not compatible with the Christian faith and gives him an opportunity to repent.
 
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I believe Proverbs also states something similar numerous times.
 
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It means we don’t associate with groups that overtly support particular sins. We strive to love everyone in Christ, but we build community and friends in faith. Sometimes love requires witness without words. Sometimes a relationship blossoms that allows for deeper sharing. The important part is to be patient and work on personal holiness along with your community. Personal holiness bears fruit in faithful friends and community. Together with your community, your beatitude will overcome evil in time, because evil leads to chaos and only more evil. Put simply: Love alone is worthy of credit, and love is not meant to be lonely. Unfortunately we cannot dissociate with ourselves when we sin. 🙂 But Christ’s beauty is our hope, and our Lady/the Church is the beautiful mediator of His grace. When in doubt go to confession for smaller and smaller matters to keep the bigger personal failings at bay. Any boost in your holiness will help you reach more brothers and sisters lost in the world for sure.
 
It means we don’t become friends with people who are sinners (as we know they are) because it can influence us. Friends are meant to build us up spiritually and help us get to Heaven. I am actually currently in a bit of a crisis with this right now. I befriended a friend I probably shouldn’t have and am now trying to figure out how to end the friendship. Really difficult situation.
 
misstherese said:
… it can influence us. Friends are meant to build us up spiritually…
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That’s right. If being around them weakens your faith or leads you to sin, that’s bad. On the other hand, if you can strengthen their faith and help them to be good, that’s good.
 
I did the same. I think the best way is to be strong and get out of the friendship staying in it is no good for you and will only damage you through trial and error I have come to know that the word of God never fails and to stray from it is bad news.
 
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I thought evildoers were the type of people who were were to associate with? After all, Jesus ate with prostitutes and tax collectors.
 
BornInMarch said:
I thought evildoers were the type of people who were were to associate with? After all, Jesus ate with prostitutes and tax collectors.
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I was thinking the same thing BorninMarch posted. I think the word associate here means to become as one with evildoers and act as they do

My two cents (I miss the old emoji)
 
newsflash: We’re ALL sinners so the “don’t become friends with people who are sinners” makes absolutely no sense at all. What do you mean?
 
I’ve heard this one a lot. Jesus wasn’t necessarily friends with these people. He wasn’t regularly hanging out with them. He maybe would have a meal with them and chatted with them to change their hearts. But I highly doubt He was talking to them unless it was of religious matters. It would have caused scandal.

As it is said-

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” First Corinthians 15:33

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Psalm 1:1

“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge." Proverbs 14:7

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

I think these passages are talking about public sinners, those whose sins are known, or people who outright deny Jesus.
 
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Proverbs warns us about the company we keep. We’re all sinners yes but not everyone is evil. I interpreted it to mean to avoid corrupt people. Like child molesters, rapist, anyone who will harm you or has the power to influence you in a bad way.
 
Whilst we are all sinners, we are not all at the same level of sinning as some are. Some people work in job where they are in contact with others who have committed grave sin (ie: murderers etc)

However such jobs are seen in the Catholic Church as Acts of Mercy. Providing we remain in a state of Grace we remain protected,
 
Still makes no sense. Who determines which “evil doers” one is not to associate with? Thiefs and liars ok but murderers no? Adulterers? Etc…
 
misstherese said:
As it is said-

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” First Corinthians 15:33

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Psalm 1:1

“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge." Proverbs 14:7

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

I think these passages are talking about public sinners, those whose sins are known, or people who outright deny Jesus.
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I think it’s a balance, as others have said. We need to be open to sharing the love of Jesus with everyone, yet aware of our own weakness so that we are not corrupted by the influence of others.

Yes, Jesus let the prostitutes and tax collectors and everyone else come to him. While most of the “respectable” crowd avoided such people, the gist I get from the gospels is that they did so not to protect their own virtuousness but to protect their reputations. Jesus didn’t care about his reputation in that way. At the same time, most people who DID hang out with the recognized sinners of the day were known sinners themselves, and chose that crowd so that they could revel in sin with them. Obviously, Jesus never did this either, and he never gave the impression that he approved of such behavior.

As Christians, we in the world but not of the world. We are open to sharing the Gospel with everyone, but not open to sharing in the sins of others. I think we have to be practical – if someone is choosing to live in sin, we need recognize that they are not on the same path we are, and be sure that they are not a bad influence. We also need to be sure that by being in the company of others, we are not implicitly condoning sinful behavior. It’s a balance, and sometimes not an easy one.
 
Jamie5 said:
Still makes no sense. Who determines which “evil doers” one is not to associate with? Thiefs and liars ok but murderers no? Adulterers? Etc…
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In its original context, I think Pope Francis’ infamous “who am I to judge” remark offers a lot of wisdom on this:

“If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?” If someone is seeking the Lord, we do everything we can to help bring Jesus to them, no matter what their sins might be.

On the other hand, when a person is committed to a particular sin and has no interest in turning to God, we need to at least distance ourselves from that behavior, if not the person altogether. For example, if you have a buddy who is cheating on his wife, stealing from his company or performing abortions, you need to be clear that this is not behavior you are okay with. You are most likely going to have to distance yourself from that friendship until he decides to change. But IF he realizes what he is doing is wrong and wants to change, as a Christian, you would need to what you can to help him find his way home.
 
Well I love hanging out with my neighbors and married friends, who just happen to be gay. They are not evil doers but rather the nicest people I have met.
 
Don’t associate with people who can harm you or your family. At least don’t get too close to them. You cannot change people nor do you want to deal with the trouble they bring
 
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