Contagious Sins

Reposted from 2009-09-10

I've been thinking on this for a while. About 5 weeks to put a time on it. Contagious Sin is what I call it. Contagious Sin are sins that, like the common cold, are easy to catch when hanging around people who regularly practice them. I believe everything should be founded in scripture, so let me back up my statements with God's word.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18

Deu 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Deu 20:17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

Deu 20:18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

I want to give full context of this and omit nothing. But having done so, lets look at verse 18. God's warning that these people cannot fellowship with the Israelites without Israel picking up their habits and vices.

For a moment, think about your friends. Do you have dissimilar tastes in music, movies, fashion, games, or sports? Did any of your friends influence your preferences?

When I was a teen, I began listening to Heavy Metal after growing up with a friend who was a connoisseur of music. I also influenced his choice in gaming. After hanging out with me, he played fighting games. We rubbed off on one another.

So, to put the verse in perspective, the nations mentioned there all worshiped false gods and practiced many sorts of abominations. The most prominent was fornication. God didn't want the behaviors (specifically the sins) of these nations to rub off on Israel. The end result would be the downfall of Israel. Even the wisest of kings fell when he associated with the wrong people.

1 Kings 11:1-4

1Ki 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

1Ki 11:2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

1Ki 11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

1Ki 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

I"m not aware of anyone who isn't in school yet, but whether in school or not, I strongly encourage you to be careful with whom you spend your time. The company you keep will influence your walk with God. Consider if they are bringing you closer or further from God. I have heard the statement, "I'm witnessing to the lost." But I cannot find in the life of Jesus where He took on the behaviors of the sinful. In fact, Jesus surrounded Himself with those who were also seeking the kingdom. Jesus also spent time fasting and praying (both I recommend you do whether in public or private school).

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer (person who complains a lot or harshly criticizes people/things), or a drunkard, or an extortioner(bully or person who takes things by force); with such an one no not to eat.

This was the verse that started the thought process. I consider these contagious sins because I notice when I hang around people who do these things, the tendency to do them as well is greater. While I have not associated with drunkards or fornicators in a sinful time, I have been around railers. I notice that when I am, I've been quicker to criticize. Criticism stirs up strife, which is why God does not want us to criticize.

Take time to reflect on your life. Which is more important? Living a popular life or living for God? Your life will show which you have chosen. Especially when you look at the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).