An evil accomplice
2 John 1:10-11 (NLT) If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.
2 John 1:10-11 (MSG) If anyone shows up who doesn’t hold to this teaching, don’t invite him in and give him the run of the place. That would just give him a platform to perpetuate his evil ways, making you his partner.
Introduction: You are welcome to speaking Scriptures where the Balm of Gilead, the great Physician brings healing by His words every Thursday.
▶️ An accomplice is a cooperator, an associate in the commission of a crime, a participator in an offense.An “evil accomplice” therefore is the one who cooperates, associates or a part of evil committed by another.
There are several ways and reasons why we become an evil accomplice even as a Christian. Let’s examine four common reasons and any other reasons may fall under the four classifications.
1️⃣ When we benefit from evil committed:-Acts 5:1-10
🗣 Acts 5:1-2 (NLT) But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
❓Why are you still keeping the company of liars and cheats? Is it because of the benefits? What if you loose your soul? Can you exchange the benefits for your life?
🗣 Matthew 16:26 (GNS) Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.
2️⃣ When we don’t want to offend the offender
🗣 Exodus 34:12 (NLT) “Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped.
❓Will you then offend God because you do not want to offend your evil associates by telling the truth?
🗣 Acts 4:19-20 (NLT) But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard.“
3️⃣ When we are afraid to tell the truth and loose valuable
🗣 1 Corinthians 5:11 (AMP) But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person.
🗣 1 Corinthians 10:21 (NLT) You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.
❓What is it that you do not want to loose from your evil accomplice? Is it valuable than your relationship with God? Can anything substitute Joy and pleasures of His presence?
🗣 Psalms 16:11(AMP) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
4️⃣ When we feel it doesn’t concern us since we are not the criminal
🗣 Ephesians 5:3-7 (NLT) Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene (foul, disgusting or filthy) stories, foolish talk, and coarse (rude, unpolished, unrefined) jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.
❓Do you think you will escape if you do not warn your wicked or sinner associates? Are you afraid that he/she will leave you for speaking the truth?
🗣 Ezekiel 3:18 (NLT) If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.
Some of us as Christians are followers of unbelievers on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter;
Proverbs 24:1(NLT) speaks; Don’t envy evil people or desire their company.
🗣 Proverbs 4:14 (NLT) also says; Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
What are the Repercussions for an evil accomplice?
1️⃣. Incurs anger of God
🗣 2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (NLT) When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?” he asked the king. “Because of what you have done, the LORD is very angry with you.Your association with unbelievers will incur God’s anger and get you into trouble.
2️⃣. Brings shame to parents
🗣 Proverbs 28:7 (NLT) Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.
🗣 Proverbs 28:7 (MSG) Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.Who are you hanging out with? Wild, worthless, loose or friends without control?
You may be joined with robbers or yahoo boys and embarrass your family.
3️⃣. Denial of Jesus Christ
🗣 John 18:17-18,25 ((NLT) The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself. Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”Your company with those without regard for Christ or worldly people will make you to deny Jesus Christ the Saviour in exchange for worldly pleasure.
4️⃣. Corruption of a true Christian
🗣 1 Corinthians 15:33 (AMP) Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.No matter how strong you are in Christ, your companion with unbelievers, Lukewarm, corrupt and compromising Christians will surely bring you down.
✍ Finally brethren, if you want to avoid punishment and even death, you must do away with worldly friends and evil association. Do you want to be marked as a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you determining to dissociate yourself from unprofitable affairs of this world? You need Jesus in your life Who gives the Holy Spirit that guides along narrow path to Eternal life.
Revelation 18:4 (NLT) Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.Revelation 18:4 (AMP) I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.
✋ Maranatha.
