Avoid Such People
2 Timothy 3:5 (Amplified): “…holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.”
Has it ever occurred to you that the Bible advises you on the types of people to avoid? You may consider just people who are murderers or evil in general. But there are different types of folks you should stay clear of because who you hang around with eventually creeps into your character. Here are some examples:
- The Fools – (Proverbs 13:2) Fools have no interest in understanding what you have to say. They just want to be heard.
- The Liars – (Proverbs 6:17) Telling an untruth and getting away with it only teaches you to do likewise. But God sees all.
- The Schemers – (Proverbs 6:18) These are among the most dangerous because you don’t know if they are plotting evil against you while they smile in your face.
- The Complainers – (Philippians 2:14) Hanging around complainers teaches you that it’s okay to blame others without any interest in helping solve the problem.
- The Greedy – (1 Timothy 6:10) The love of money is the root of all evil.
- The Deceivers – (1 John 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:5) Test the spirits. Many will have the form of godliness, putting on religious acts, and talk “Christianese”, but they don’t believe and deny the power of God and the deity of Jesus Christ.
- The Manipulators – (Proverbs 6:19) These are the folks who start mess! The instigators. The ones who start conflict just to see what happens. They think it is fun. You will pick up the same behavior.
- The Lazy – (Proverbs 13:7) They learn to wish for things without working to get them done.
- The Angry/Argumentative – (Proverbs 22:24, 25) Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts; Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways and get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].
- The Selfish – (Philippians 2:3, Proverbs 23:6) Do nothing out of selfish ambition. Do not eat with a miser (a person with an evil eye), for as he thinks, so is he. A selfish person only cares for themselves.
- The Prideful – (Proverbs 16:18) Before a person falls, they are destroyed because of their pride. You don’t want to be around when God deals with a prideful person.
God wants you to avoid these types of people because hanging around them can make you act like them. You are the light of the world! Don’t let your light get snuffed out by associating with people who have the wrong character.
Be Blessed!
Ron
Ron Cobbs Ministries © Copyright November 11th, 2026, All Rights Reserved
