Mountain_Climber
Active Member
Excellent point.I don't think avoiding bad associations means labeling people as good or bad. I think is has to do with recognizing the effect certain people and/or situations are likely to have on oneself/one's family -- and choosing wisely.
We also want to remember that Paul is addressing the church (the congregation of God) whom God's spirit is grooming to be married to His Son and so this is teaching spiritual fidelity. God desires a wife for His Son who knows how to be and remain faithful in a spiritual sense, avoiding spiritual fornication with the falsities held in those vessels that are of dishonor due to their lack of appreciation of holiness.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
This spiritual principle is one any serious christian who claims to have dedicated their life to Christ and the work of Christ in promoting the will of His Father, (whether as Christ's bride or as his child), can benefit from.
OK. That might be why it was acceptable and is acceptable to believe that bad associations are people.
What about the leaven then? Is your opinion that the leaven which can ferment the whole batch are people too?
Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."