Picking Our Friends Wisely
Who we associate with is who we will become.
2 Thess. 3:6-15
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the traditions which you received from us.”
Throughout the scriptures, we are warned about the kind of people we associate with and the type of friends surrounding us. The people we associate with and spend all our time with will influence how we act, think, and live our lives. In this passage Paul is not forbidding any association with those who do not follow Christ. This would not only be impossible, but it would also be counterproductive to our mission. We are called to reach people with the gospel, which requires building relationships with others. Paul warning us to be intentional and careful about who influences us and shapes our lives, values, and beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul commands the church at Corinth, a city that is known for its immorality and corruption, to avoid relationships with unbelievers. As he writes to the church at Thessalonica, he warns them to disassociate with those within the church who are not walking in obedience to Christ. There are several individuals he mentions explicitly. First, some lead unruly lives and reject the teachings of the apostles. These individuals reject the moral standards and conduct outlined in scripture and encourage others to do the same. Instead of promoting obedience to God’s word, they justify their disobedience.
Second, they are to avoid those who are not willing to work. This is not a destitute person in need of help. God requires us to help people who are in desperate need. Rather, this individual has the capacity and opportunity to work but refuses to do so. They are lazy and abuse the generosity of the church. Paul states that such a person should not receive any help.
Third, Paul warns about associating with people who refuse to obey the Bible. They willfully and blatantly disregard the moral and spiritual teachings of the Bible and continue to live in sin. These are individuals we are not only to avoid but to discipline (see Matthew 18:15-20). We should never treat sin with complacency or lightly. All sin, even those trivial in our eyesight, is an affront to God, for it is a rejection of God’s holiness and His authority over our lives. Even the most trivial sin is an act of defiance and rebellion against God. Therefore, we are to avoid the individuals who refuse to obey the scriptures.
The point that Paul is making in all this is that we are to be aware of who influences our lives. Who do we look to for advice regarding morality and spirituality? Are they upholding the truth of Scripture or undermining and rejecting what God states? This includes the people we spend time with, the books we read, the podcasts we listen to, and the individuals we follow on the internet. We must examine their life and teachings and ensure they conform to God’s word and moral law. If not, then we are to avoid them. We become who we associate ourselves with. We will be led astray if we associate with people who reject God’s word. However, if we follow those faithful to both teach and live according to the Scripture, we will grow in our faith and become more like Christ. In our age of mass information, we must be prudent and careful regarding those influencing us.
2 Thess. 3:6-15
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the traditions which you received from us.”
Throughout the scriptures, we are warned about the kind of people we associate with and the type of friends surrounding us. The people we associate with and spend all our time with will influence how we act, think, and live our lives. In this passage Paul is not forbidding any association with those who do not follow Christ. This would not only be impossible, but it would also be counterproductive to our mission. We are called to reach people with the gospel, which requires building relationships with others. Paul warning us to be intentional and careful about who influences us and shapes our lives, values, and beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul commands the church at Corinth, a city that is known for its immorality and corruption, to avoid relationships with unbelievers. As he writes to the church at Thessalonica, he warns them to disassociate with those within the church who are not walking in obedience to Christ. There are several individuals he mentions explicitly. First, some lead unruly lives and reject the teachings of the apostles. These individuals reject the moral standards and conduct outlined in scripture and encourage others to do the same. Instead of promoting obedience to God’s word, they justify their disobedience.
Second, they are to avoid those who are not willing to work. This is not a destitute person in need of help. God requires us to help people who are in desperate need. Rather, this individual has the capacity and opportunity to work but refuses to do so. They are lazy and abuse the generosity of the church. Paul states that such a person should not receive any help.
Third, Paul warns about associating with people who refuse to obey the Bible. They willfully and blatantly disregard the moral and spiritual teachings of the Bible and continue to live in sin. These are individuals we are not only to avoid but to discipline (see Matthew 18:15-20). We should never treat sin with complacency or lightly. All sin, even those trivial in our eyesight, is an affront to God, for it is a rejection of God’s holiness and His authority over our lives. Even the most trivial sin is an act of defiance and rebellion against God. Therefore, we are to avoid the individuals who refuse to obey the scriptures.
The point that Paul is making in all this is that we are to be aware of who influences our lives. Who do we look to for advice regarding morality and spirituality? Are they upholding the truth of Scripture or undermining and rejecting what God states? This includes the people we spend time with, the books we read, the podcasts we listen to, and the individuals we follow on the internet. We must examine their life and teachings and ensure they conform to God’s word and moral law. If not, then we are to avoid them. We become who we associate ourselves with. We will be led astray if we associate with people who reject God’s word. However, if we follow those faithful to both teach and live according to the Scripture, we will grow in our faith and become more like Christ. In our age of mass information, we must be prudent and careful regarding those influencing us.
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