Daily Word: Staying Away From Evil Men

Proverbs 24:1-2 says: Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of mischief. (RSV) The JPS Study Bible comments: "Of the various dangers that evil people present, Proverbs emphasizes their bad influence on those who consort with them rather than the harm they inflict directly." Remember that Proverbs consistently praises wisdom and condemns the schemes of the wicked. Does this seem like the "Christian" thing to do with evil people? Shouldn't we go to them with some tracts and Bibles and try to get them saved? No, the Hebraic approach is that it is God's business to draw others to Him and it is our business to do what we are told. And, we are told not to desire to be with them. That does not mean that we cannot pray for them and be kind to them when we are with them. However, we are not to desire to be with those that oppose God.

Thomas Haweis said: "The sinners’ prosperity is little to be envied, and their company far from desirable; their present study and talk is mischievous and destructive, and their end perdition; they are therefore rather to be shunned than courted, and should raise our indignation, not our envy." As we continue our journey with God, we should try and imitate Him in greater ways. We should attempt to really love the evil men the way God does. However, we should not allow their ways to influence our lives. One of my children had a friend that seemed to have a greater impact on her than she did on her friend. Some of the traits that we did not find desirable began to appear in our daughter. My wife spoke to her and explained that she should be influencing her friend for God, and not the friend influencing her toward a life centered on the things of the world. Once she saw the truth, she adjusted her behavior as her Mother instructed.

Today, consider your associations. Do you desire to be in the company of evil men and women? If so, the verse instructs you on the change you need to make. Remember, God knows best and if this is how He wants us to act, we should instantly obey. If we don't, then we have not heard the word.