The concept of avoiding fellowship with the wicked is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and integrity. This principle is rooted in the understanding that close associations can influence one's character and moral decisions, potentially leading believers away from their commitment to God.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament provides numerous warnings against associating 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 influence that can occur when one engages with those who reject God's ways. The psalmist underscores the blessedness of avoiding such associations, suggesting that true happiness and spiritual prosperity are found in separation from evil.

Proverbs also offers wisdom on this topic. Proverbs 4:14-15 advises, "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." The emphasis here is on active avoidance, suggesting that believers must be vigilant and intentional in steering clear of influences that could lead them astray.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with the apostle Paul providing clear instructions to the early church. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This admonition reflects the understanding that relationships have the power to shape one's moral and spiritual life. Paul encourages believers to be discerning about their associations, recognizing the potential for negative influence.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul further instructs, "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?" Here, Paul uses the metaphor of a yoke to illustrate the incompatibility of believers and unbelievers in close partnerships. The rhetorical questions emphasize the stark contrast between the values of the righteous and the wicked.

Practical Implications for Believers

The biblical injunction against fellowship with the wicked calls for discernment and wisdom in relationships. Believers are encouraged to engage with the world in a way that reflects their commitment to holiness and righteousness, while also being mindful of the potential for negative influence. This does not imply complete isolation from non-believers, as Christians are called to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). However, it does suggest a careful consideration of the depth and nature of relationships with those who do not share the same values.

The call to avoid fellowship with the wicked is ultimately about preserving one's spiritual integrity and remaining steadfast in faith. By heeding these biblical warnings, believers can protect themselves from the moral and spiritual pitfalls that come with close associations with those who reject God's ways.Exodus 23:32,33
You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 34:12
Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in the middle of you:
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:26
And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest you be consumed in all their sins.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 7:2-4
And when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you; you shall smite them, and utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them:
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 12:30
Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 13:6-11
If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 23:6,7,13
Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 2:2
And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; you shall throw down their altars: but you have not obeyed my voice: why have you done this?
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 9:1,2,12
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 1:10-15
My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 4:14,15
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 9:6
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 14:7
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 18:17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be to you as an heathen man and a publican.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote to you in an letter not to company with fornicators:
Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Timothy 6:3-5
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
Nave's Topical Index

2 Timothy 3:2-7
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Nave's Topical Index

2 Peter 3:17
You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
Nave's Topical Index

2 John 1:9-11
Whoever transgresses, and stays not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that stays in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 18:1-4
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Nave's Topical Index

But as we had Begun to Remark it is not Sufficient for a Christian ...
... addition, do some of those things which are forbidden, when even ... and 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 Xliii. (AD 397. )
... [1634] If, then, the Holy Spirit has forbidden us to ... not considering, moreover, that
within our unity those only have fellowship with the wicked who take ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xliii a d 397.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... had not the Holy Ghost long since forbidden me (1 ... join not yourselves, said God,
to the wicked, neither in ... would not that ye should have fellowship with devils ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go ... is our curiosity to have some fellowship
with darkness ... manner, a wanton roving after things forbidden, a curiosity ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

Whether one Ought to Induce Others to Enter Religion?
... by giving him presents: and this is forbidden in the ... a person little presents for
the sake of good fellowship. ... Lord was a forecast of the wicked endeavors of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought to induce.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... Here he hath not only implicitly forbidden Jesus Christ ... him with being as preposterous
and wicked if he do ... if they shall admit such members to their fellowship. ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

Ahaziah
... for that purpose swooped down upon the wicked king and ... sinners, who enter into any
sort of fellowship with them ... of evil men, or visit any forbidden scenes, or ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... had so little reason to eat the forbidden fruit, and ... profaned and scoffed at by
unrighteous and wicked men. ... sin, so long as they "have no fellowship with such ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

The Fainting Soul Revived
... day," and Adam was privileged to hold fellowship with God ... our first parent tasted
of the forbidden fruit, which ... Man is wicked; he turns his back upon supreme ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fainting soul revived.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... not that ye should have fellowship with devils ... himself seven other spirits more wicked
than himself ... The necromancy, divination, and witchcraft, forbidden in the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

What is the Fellowship Bible Church movement (Gene Getz)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What is Potter's House Christian Fellowship? | GotQuestions.org

Fellowship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus