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What Does the Bible Say About..Who We Associate With?

My daughter is having a financial problem, the only thing is I am a tither and she is not, I have a so called friend that every time I have anything to do with my daughter she says that demons will get off on me and for me to stop going over my children's home. I love my family and this women is trying to break my family up again, she has done it before she causes me to even doubt that I am saved. She is a praying woman, but I love my family and grandchildren. I love sinners. I don't know if she is good or evil. Please help me.

Answer

You didn't make it clear why this woman says not to see your daughter. If it is because she does not tithe and you do, that should not cause you not to see her. Since there is nowhere in the New Testament that specifies that we should tithe (give a tenth of our income) your daughter is not in violation of any scripture by not tithing. In any case, what your daughter does or does not do has nothing to do with your salvation.

Although Paul does state the general rule that "evil communications corrupt good manners," (1 Corinthians 15:33), that does not say that your seeing your daughter occasionally, or even regularly, will cause you to sin. In its context (some saying there is no resurrection), Paul is saying that if you let yourself be swayed by those who don't know what they are talking about you will be open to just about any doctrine. He is not saying don't associate with sinners, but don't go out of your way to follow in their sin.

Associating with your daughter will not affect your salvation. Ezekiel 20 is very clear that the sins of the child will not be held against the parent. That even assumes that there is a specific sin that to which this woman objects. Even if there is, she should be addressing the sinner, and not you. "Demons" will not get off on you. There is no evidence of modern day demon possession. Even if there were, a demon can not force a person to sin any more than the Holy Spirit can force a person to be righteous. We choose what we do, and are held responsible for our choices. If not, God would not be just in punishing someone because "Satan made me do it."

Don't doubt your salvation. Anyone who has faith in Jesus as the son of God and has been immersed (baptized) for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 22:16) has only to rely on the grace of God. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) If you have been saved you need not fear losing that salvation as long as you remain faithful to God, regardless of what anyone around you says or does.

As for the woman who would cause dissent and division between family members or in the church, perhaps the words of Paul apply. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18) To Timothy, Paul called those who "consent not to wholesome words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness" "proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness." He concluded "from such withdraw thyself." (1 Tim 6:3-5) Those who cause strife and harbor evil assumptions are not good, no matter how much they pray, but are to be avoided so that they don't spread strife among you. God called us to "love and good works," (Heb 10:24) and not to separating families without good cause, and certainly not to condemning others and thereby setting themselves up in the place of God.

I hope this helps. I am praying for you, and especially for this other woman.