2 John 1:10
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
One of the struggles of many Christians is having the strength to separate. There are some who think that you must never separate from friends. This may sound good, but this is not scriptural. Scriptural doctrine always surpasses friendship.
God says in the verse above that there is a time when you should stop associating with people and avoid them. God says, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house…” In other words, when someone teaches or preaches wrong doctrine, you are not to spend any time with them. Titus 3:10 says, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;” God says that those who have left Christ’s doctrine should not enter your house and should be completely rejected.
Moreover, God says in 1 Corinthians 5:11, that we are not to keep company with those who continue in sin. This is not a choice that God leaves up to us; this is God’s command! By continually allowing those who live in sin to have the privilege of spending time with you or coming over to your house, you are condoning their sin. Friend, these are not my words, but these are the words of God.
Why is God so adamant about avoiding these people? Because when you let these people in, you are telling those who watch you that everything they do is okay. You are saying that you approve of their lifestyle and doctrine by continually spending time with them or wishing them God’s speed. The next generation follows your actions of association.
With this in mind, let me encourage you to be careful about reading the books of those who are doctrinally wrong. Just because they may have some good content does not mean that you should read their books. God says to have “no company” with them. When you read their books, you are giving them “company” in your life.
Likewise, you shouldn’t attend any conferences they may have. It doesn’t matter how long they have been your friend, God says you are to have nothing to do with these people. I know there are some who feel uncomfortable with what they just read, but the only reason they would feel uncomfortable is because they are either guilty of this or they are having considerations of leaving what they know is right.
Moreover, don’t refer to statements made by those who are doctrinally wrong. You may think there is no damage, but God makes it clear that you are to completely reject them. When you refer to their statements, simple Christians will take that as an endorsement. When a simple Christian gets caught up in doctrinal error because of your references to those who are doctrinally wrong, then God holds you accountable for their error.
If you are a pastor, let me encourage you to be very careful about who you refer to in the pulpit, whose conferences you attend and who you have in your pulpit to preach. Always be sure that they are doctrinally right. Don’t let friendship cloud your judgment. Christian, the best thing you could do is to endorse and support those who are doing right. This lets the next generation know who they should follow and it will protect you from doctrinal error.