Guilty by Association

[Gregory Thompson]

Please justify this widespread mode of reasoning i have observed with scripture .

bless .

 

[Hentenza]

Hi Michael,

It would help if you elaborated on what you mean including the pertinent scripture. Thanks.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

i read some of the posts and see someone is considered heretical because of their associations with certain groups . but i don't want to make it about other threads . i am honestly curious .

i was requesting scriptural support for this behavioral thought pattern .

 

[Gregory Thompson]

For example . say i was at a church that used the NIV bible

and i started talking about the King James Version and its fine points and it was brought up . "but all those supporting it are really unloving and debate about the issue and cause division" (this actually happened in the past when i was a KJV only type person)

thus what i mean by Guilty by association . if you associate with something that resembles a pet peeve doctrine, denomination, or something else ruled out at a previous time as something bad . for whatever reason you may be doing it or associated with it ..

then why is such an assumption made?

Why is one considered Guilty by Association?

 

[TimRout]

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." [1 Cor. 15:33]
Our character is informed by those with whom we associate.

"Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them." [Josh. 23:6-7]
Our associations set the tone for our own actions, and often lead us to commit the sins prevalent within the group.

But to the wicked God says,
"What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?
"For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.
"When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
And you associate with adulterers."
[Ps. 50:16-18]
In this context, God describes the characteristics of the wicked. Notice that one such characteristic is the choice of company they keep.

"Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself."
[Pro. 22:24-25]
Indeed, we are commanded to distance ourselves from those who practice unrighteousness. As Chuck Swindol likes to say to young people, "You are who you hang out with."

 

[Gregory Thompson]

(thank you Tim)

So . the question comes to me . does God indwell us?

Can God sanctify us completely?

If the company we keep can cause us to be infected by just being around people but God's power is not greater than that .. then what is our hope in?

 

[TimRout]

Certainly God's power supersedes our human weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

For example, there is no question that the Lord Jesus spent a great deal of time around some of the worst sinners one could imagine, yet did not sin. However, when instructing Christians on handling a fallen brother -- a believer no less -- the Apostle Paul gave the following cautionary instruction:

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." [Gal. 6:1/NASB]

In my opinion, we are just plain nuts if we don't take seriously our personal vulnerabilities to sin [Ro. 7:14-25].

 

[the particular baptist]

(thank you Tim)
Can God sanctify us completely?

All authentic believers are sanctified, being sanctified, will be sanctified. Scripture, especially the NT addresses believers as saints, holy, ... 1Co 1:2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours

 

[Gregory Thompson]

In my opinion, we are just plain nuts if we don't take seriously our personal vulnerabilities to sin [Ro. 7:14-25].

I agree, perhaps a balance of the two would sound more reasonable?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

All authentic believers are sanctified, being sanctified, will be sanctified. Scripture, especially the NT addresses believers as saints, holy, ... 1Co 1:2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours

Agree, Saint and Holy come from the same word in the greek .

thanks .

 

[Gregory Thompson]

The reason i said balance . is because Jesus didn't have a problem with this . He was known as a friend of sinners . and Paul was known to be "all things to all people" . so what is taught to the babes . may be different than what is taught to the mature?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I would like to thank all who answered . it brings it into context at least .

bless .