The concept of fellowship with the wicked and its subsequent punishment is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Scripture consistently warns against associating with those who practice evil, emphasizing the spiritual and moral dangers of such alliances. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the consequences of engaging in fellowship with the wicked.

Old Testament Warnings and Examples

The Old Testament contains several admonitions against forming alliances with the wicked. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist declares, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." This verse highlights the progression of sin that can occur when one associates with the ungodly, ultimately leading to judgment.

The account of King Jehoshaphat serves as a cautionary tale. Despite being a righteous king, Jehoshaphat allied himself with the wicked King Ahab of Israel. This alliance led to disastrous consequences, as seen in 2 Chronicles 18:1-34. The prophet Jehu later rebuked Jehoshaphat, saying, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you" (2 Chronicles 19:2).

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to warn believers about the dangers of fellowship with the wicked. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul cautions, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This warning underscores the corrupting influence that evil associations can have on a believer's moral and spiritual integrity.

The apostle Paul further instructs the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" These rhetorical questions emphasize the incompatibility of righteousness and wickedness, urging believers to maintain spiritual purity by avoiding such partnerships.

Consequences of Fellowship with the Wicked

The Bible provides numerous examples of the punishment that befalls those who engage in fellowship with the wicked. In the account of Korah's rebellion, found in Numbers 16, those who aligned themselves with Korah against Moses and Aaron faced severe judgment. The earth opened up and swallowed them, demonstrating God's swift punishment for their rebellion and association with wickedness.

In the New Testament, the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of deceit and collusion with evil. Their attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit resulted in their immediate deaths, illustrating the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of maintaining integrity.

Exhortations to Avoid Wicked Associations

Throughout Scripture, believers are exhorted to separate themselves from the wicked and to pursue holiness. In Proverbs 4:14-15, the wise are advised, "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by." This counsel emphasizes the importance of actively avoiding situations and relationships that could lead to spiritual compromise.

The apostle John, in his first epistle, reinforces this call to separation, stating, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). This admonition serves as a reminder that love for God and fellowship with the wicked are mutually exclusive.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns against fellowship with the wicked, highlighting the spiritual dangers and divine punishment associated with such alliances. Believers are called to pursue righteousness and holiness, avoiding associations that could lead them away from their commitment to God.Numbers 33:56
Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do to you, as I thought to do to them.
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Joshua 23:13
Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.
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Judges 2:3
Why I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.
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Judges 3:5-8
And the children of Israel dwelled among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
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Ezra 9:7,14
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass to this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
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Psalm 106:41,42
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
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Revelation 2:16,22,23
Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
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Whether by Divine Justice an Eternal Punishment is Inflicted on ...
... in such a way as not to deserve to be entirely cut off from the fellowship of the ...
Reply to Objection 4: The everlasting punishment of the wicked will not be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether by divine justice an.htm

Whether any Sin Incurs a Debt of Eternal Punishment?
... of removing the murderer from the fellowship of the ... its own way, represents the eternity
of punishment inflicted by ... iv, 44) that the "wicked would wish to live ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any sin incurs a.htm

But as we had Begun to Remark it is not Sufficient for a Christian ...
... crime, and was therefore justly condemned to a severer punishment? ... meek, after the
example of Christ, avoiding fellowship with the wicked so completely ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vii but as we.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... sacrifice to devils, that is, to a wicked spiritual creature ... to him in the air, is
doomed to eternal punishment. ... one true God, whom in holy fellowship they serve ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

Argument: the Religion of the Christians is Foolish, Inasmuch as ...
... Man, and Even the Instrument Itself of His Punishment. ... fitting altars for reprobate
and wicked men, that ... after much feasting, when the fellowship has grown warm ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter ix argument the religion of.htm

Whether we Ought to Love Sinners Out of Charity?
... he has a capacity for happiness, on the fellowship of which ... May the wicked be," that
is, "The wicked shall be ... is not referred to the man's punishment, but to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to love.htm

Of the Universal Peace which the Law of Nature Preserves through ...
... And it is very just that in the final punishment the wicked and godless ... as we can
enjoy in this life from health and safety and human fellowship, and all ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 of the universal peace.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... avoiding these evils, and the least fellowship with them ... honours, promotions, and
trust to a wicked man, as ... in harvest, a reproach and punishment more becomes ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

History.
... fire and brimstone, where the wicked would endure ... but he believed in no punishment
hereafter, being ... a distinction of either name, denomination, or fellowship. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/history.htm

The Doctrine of Christ.
... Is your cry, dear reader, for more reality in this fellowship? ... the evil doctrines,
which reject the eternal punishment of the wicked, the spurious gospels ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the doctrine of christ.htm

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