Does God want us to separate from “bad” people?

Probing Proverbs: 2:20-22 

Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous.  For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.

Scriptures are so clear in their constant warning concerning the company we keep. Paul even warns the folks at Corinth that we can deceive ourselves about this.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

The principle is solid, yet it does set up the question of: “If we are to be separate from those that live worldly, how can we share how much God loves them and desires a relationship with them?” If you seek what the Scriptures teach on this, it will be clear to you. 
The sad thing is many individuals take only sections of the Scriptures, always out of context. The outcome is one of two responses. Either a Pharisaical attitude that communicates a “holier than thou” message and excludes certain folks from the universal grace of Jesus Christ. “All can come,” no exceptions. Or it produces an attitude that “sin does not matter.” We so much want people to experience the love of God, we say: “God will accept you right where you are” which is correct, but then many take that to a very unhealthy end. Not only will God accept you where you are, but you can stay there if you desire to! That is a formula for disaster. Either we help people make a decision, but no conversion takes place, or we fail to disciple them with God’s Word, which contains very clear standards concerning certain issues and God expects us, with His empowerment, to conform to those standards. So where is the balance?

Interestingly, even Israel and the Church had trouble getting this right. Israel was called to live separate from the world, even what they ate, so that the world would look at the Nation God had chosen, and they would be so attractive that the world would desire to know this God. Israel blew that! They allowed themselves to become just like the world, to such a degree that in portions of Scripture God makes it clear that there is no difference between Israel and nations that worship Baal! The Church on the other hand was called to go and penetrate their world, without becoming one of them. Instead the Church built large buildings to gather all their folks and then sit and fellowship in the building, hoping that some of those that lived outside would journey in and join them. When that did not work, the Church just started trying to get others from a different church to come and join their group! 

Is there a balance? Yes there is! Remember:

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

The key though, is to understand how to divide your company. All of us have two different kinds of company that we keep, those that impact us and those we impact. Scripture is warning that if the people that impact you are folks that don’t care about God, His Truth or His standards, don’t kid yourself, their impact will lead you to live far from God! Those that impact you should be people that move you toward God! The other group are individuals you impact, and that could be anyone you choose. The closer you are to God, the more your life will effect them. With some, it will cost you their company, because your life…not your condemnation or self righteousness…will make them uncomfortable. Some cannot take this because they want nothing to do with emotions that challenge or convict them. Others, will accept you even if they do not agree with you. Some of these will begin to see the truth in your life, your intimate relationship with your Creator, and they will desire the same. You should never sperate yourself from people you can impact. Let them be the ones that separate, you just love God and them; some will discover Who God is. Your closest friends will be those that impact you because you have a spiritual connection.

The end of this Proverb communicates another very important truth. I think one of the healthiest things we can do is to soberly consider the outcome of a life contrary to God and what He desires. It is interesting here that the wicked person is described as “removed from land” & “uprooted”. Obviously the context is Israel’s connection to the Promised Land, but there is much more than that here. Humans were created to abide with their Creator. If there is any one comment I get from the testimonies of people discussing their salvation experience – including mine – would be…HOME! 
A sense that the minute the separation of sin had been removed they felt they were Home. Where I belonged to begin with. Of all the cost of sin, this is the greatest. Separation from where you were me t to be! Tragedy! For many it will be eternal, but even for some of God’s children, right now because of their life, they live as orphans. Turn back now!

The so what? Look at the people in your life, which ones impact you and which ones do you impact? Can you be around individuals that do not love God, yet still love them? How many people do you now in your life that may not have a relationship with God? Are you seeking ways to connect to people that need Him?