God has always warned us about the danger of bad friendships.

“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).

I will not stick to every item on this list that the apostle Paul describes, but look at the “covetous man” (those obsessed with money and material things). He’s matching them to idolaters. Covetouness is idolatry (the person is making money their god).

So, he is saying here that these people were excluded from the Kingdom of God because they gave themselves to their wills and the other gods (the god “pleasure” and the god “money”). They made their choice for eternity in this life. And God will not force these people to spend eternity with Someone they rejected in life (that is, Him). This is fair. These people will not have an inheritance by their own choice.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

Deception comes from words. Be careful who you hear. Beware of the arguments you bring into your head. Well-articulated words can sometimes deceive even those chosen by God. How did the devil tempt the Lord Jesus? At a certain point, it was with the Bible itself. In the second temptation, Satan evolved, saying: “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written…” (he referred to Psalm 91). In other words, Satan used the Bible to tempt the Lord Jesus. And many people today are not aware that evil can do this. The devil will not try the right ones with the “Bible of Satan”; he will tempt them with the “Holy Bible” with the Words of God himself.

So, there are well-developed arguments whose intention is to deceive. You must be careful with the words you hear. Sometimes, an argument seems very convincing, something you would post on your social media. But the origin of that argument is dubious. So, it doesn’t matter if it’s the devil speaking about the Bible; you shouldn’t listen. Do you understand? Because if the devil is speaking about the Bible, you can be sure that he has chosen some Text out of context to deceive you. You have to look at who is talking. Does this person live what they preach? Is the person talking is using the Bible to drop a hint? Be very careful.

“[…] for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

Some things provoke the wrath of God.

And the final piece of advice is:

“Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:7).

You should not walk with people whose life consists of provoking God with behaviours, attitudes, words, and beliefs.

The Lord Jesus walked in this world, did not mix with the practices of the people around him, and won many souls.

You must be careful with whom you make “your partner, ” who you bring to your home, talk to on your mobile phone, follow on social media, and mirror yourself.

By association, you can end up just like them.

Maybe you don’t think about cheating on your husband or wife, for example. But you walk with people who do that and even encourage it. If this kind of life is not what you want for yourself, this type of person may not suit you. Choose well.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

There are people you shouldn’t keep friends with, period.

If you want to obey the Word, that’s fine. If you want to make your own rules, life is yours (but don’t forget that there will be consequences).

Check out the entire message in the video above.