But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:11 NKJV)
This is one of the most ignored Scriptures in the Bible because a lot of people do not understand it but Jesus said that heaven and earth may pass away but the word from God’s mouth won’t pass away including this one.
In this godly reminder, we are instructed not to keep company with immoral people. The reason for this is because iron sharpens iron, bad character corrupts, you can share someone’s judgement by association, dirty aura or spiritual garment from bad people can pollute your own aura or garment.
Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Jesus is our own example and He was never intimate with immoral people. The only unclean person in His company betrayed and sold Him. Unclean people cannot help themselves, Satan controls them easily just like Satan entered Judas Iscariot so that he could carry out his will and betray Jesus.
Judas was a false brother. He was chosen as one of the twelve disciples. He was named a brother but he secretly loved sin. He was insincere, impure and false. He was driven by many desires and his way of thinking and dedication to God was faulty and flawed that is why the devil could use him. His love for sin and insincerity made him unclean.
Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” John 13:10
Jesus ministered to everyone and did not discriminate against anyone. However we all have a right to our personal privacy and space and it is not wise to bring immoral people into your personal space and inner chamber. Anyone who comes very close to you has access to your heart and spirit and the heart is very fragile.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
Jesus had twelve disciples, yet he was more intimate with three out of the twelve disciples. The twelve disciples were His inner circle but Peter, James and John were the ones that were in his inner, inner circle. The inner circle is what I am talking about. The ones you eat with and share your heart and secrets with are the intimate friends. Intimate friendship is reserved for birds of the same character and for loyal, sacrificial, selfless, kind, committed and dedicated friends. It is not lovers of evil and haters of God. It is also not for betrayers of friendship, the envious, the jealous, slanderers, back biters and fair weather friends.
If someone is disrespectful to God and claims to be a Christian, you need to give him or her space. Paul is advising us against hypocrites who are named as brothers yet love and relish sin and immorality. He is advising us against those who bask in the false glory and pleasures of sin and this world. There is a difference between yielding to temptation in a moment of weakness and later feeling remorse and repenting and loving a sinful life.
Some people who are named as brothers have decided that some sins are not sins and they are hardened in that lifestyle. They love everything that the unbeliever loves and live contradictory lifestyles with the gospel. I have come across such brothers. They say fornication and homosexuality are not sins and they defend idol worship. Their consciences are dead but they put on the garment and cloak of Christianity.
They are the ones that Paul is talking about. They are the ones that give Christianity a bad name and make a mockery of Christianity but God will not be mocked. They are the ones that make atheists rejoice. Some fellow believers copy their false and sinful lifestyles and some unbelievers are repelled from Christianity and quote such people as their reason. Their excuse will not stand before God in the day of judgement but any brother that causes others to sin or repels people from the gospel will be dealt with by God.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6
This godly reminder is an instruction for all believers and should not be overlooked. The Holy Spirit talking through Paul has commanded us to keep away from brothers who are sexually immoral, idolaters, drunkards, extortioners, covetous and revilers. It is for our own good and the good of the church of Jesus Christ. If we want to be filled with the glory of God and make our vessels clean without any form of external pollution then we will take this godly instruction seriously.
May God help us to live in complete obedience to His will, be filled with His Spirit and become vessels of honor in Jesus name.
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