"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
To the average person and even to some believers this can sound like a harsh un-christ-like directive. Truth is, yes we are to minister to these, Jesus ate with the like after all. Yet there's a difference between having encounters and embracing such in close friendship. We are warned that the company we keep can be contagiously dangerous for our character and morals or manners which impacts our walk with Christ immensely!
Notice within the first sentence he says, "if any man be a brother"? This is someone within the church. Discernment is key. Don't dismiss it by a so-called commonality.
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." 1 Corinthians 15:33
Are we heeding these warnings? Carefully listening to the Holy Spirit's leading?
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