Bad associations spoil useful habits.—1 Cor. 15:33. on the Peoria.com Forums

Jacob’s daughter Dinah was an example of one who got into serious trouble because of associating with worldly companions. The Genesis account about her tells us that she was in the habit of associating with the young Canaanite women in the area where her family dwelled. The Canaanites did not have the same high moral standards as Jehovah’s worshippers. (Ex. 23:23; Lev. 18:2-25; Deut. 18:9-12) A local man, Shechem, described as “the most honorable of the whole house of his father,” saw Dinah “and then took her and lay down with her and violated her.” (Gen. 34:1, 2, 19) What does this account teach us? That we simply cannot socialize with unbelievers and hope to suffer no ill consequences. On the other hand, association with people who share your beliefs, your high moral standards, and your love for Jehovah is a safeguard. Such good association will encourage you to act wisely.—Prov. 13:20.

“One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”
― Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

Hard to disciple to non-believers if you don't associate with them...

Also that story is a blame the victim...
the girl was raped because she was asking for it...

Have any of you ever went some where that you know you shouldnt of went. Or done some thing that you should of not done. Even said some thing that you should of not said.

nope, never.

Every day....

TnT, Jesus associated with non-believers and sinners. In fact, they were considered the worst kinds of sinners around but that definitely didnt stop Jesus even though He was chastised for it:

Mathew 9:

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

If your strength and faith in God is strong enough then I don't think associating with sinners will cause you any harm.

Mark Twain wrote a short story called "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg".... its a cute story - about temptation and virtue.

"the weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fire."

I thought I had copied that quote into the previous post, but it didn't take.

So you are comparing your self to Jesus. I dont think there is any one on earth that has the will or back bone that Jesus had. You have to remember that Jesus came for sinners to be save. What i have to say if you knowingly know that they are sinners and you put your self in with them then soon you will be as them.

Well now I'm just confused. TWO CONTRADICTORY BIBLE QUOTES!!

One of my favorite bible passages: Matthew 5:43-48

the last two sentences are:

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

BTW, We are all sinners. If we only kept ourselves with the righteous, we would all be pretty lonely. :-) I couldn't associate with anyone else, and no one could associate with me.

First of all I'm hardly comparing myself to Jesus-- those were your words, not mine.

Second, don't forget we're all sinners. None of is perfect nor will ever be as long as we have an earthly body.

You're talking about burying your head in the sand and not associating with sinners. That's not how Jesus lived His life. Quite the opposite. Jesus lived His life so that we would follow in His example. He extended His love and mercy and grace to those that deserved it the least so that we might do the same. His disciples followed His example long after Jesus left this earth. In fact, they pursued the sinners and the non-believers--read Acts and Corinthians and all the books after the Gospels to see what they did and how they did it.

One can still pursue--and live with--sinners AND do it successfully so long as you keep God at your side. I work with a large mix of people from different churches and beliefs, including non-believers. I can tell you with certainty that the non-believers haven't convinced me that their way is better. Quite the opposite.

I also know a few people who are the only believers in their families--their families don't believe at all. It's tough living with those that want to tear you down but it can be done. I've also heard many success stories about those Christians changing the lives of their families and bringing them to Jesus.

You can't isolate yourself from the sinners because you are one. Everyone is. Jesus said to live in the world but not become a part of it. We will never fully do this because we are imperfect but no matter where we live or who we are surrounded with, we can strive to rise above. Thankfully, our God extends His mercy for those times we fail.

you must not be that familiar with history, because plenty of people have put their lives on the line for completely un-selfish reasons, for the betterment of mankind. what jesus allegedly did does not impress me in the least.

i'm not a sinner, because i don't believe in divine law. i'm not perfect either, but i try to be ethical. i just feel like pointing that out because i don't think you would appreciate being referred to as a dumbass, even if i included myself in that category.

I'm a dumbass.

You're a sinner.