Author Topic: Should we avoid sinners? (Read 2127 times)

InfiniteFaith · « **on:** February 22, 2015, 02:00:25 PM »

If you knew someone to be a sinner (fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ, etc.) would you advise to avoid that person?

Sandy B · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2015, 02:11:05 PM »

Thank you for a very profound question. I would be at a loss and ask my priest how should I handle this. I would not know without guidance. I would not want to make the situation worse by being part of the problem helping in the wrong way. Sandy B

songbird · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2015, 02:34:20 PM »

Stay away from the occasion of sin. then there are times that we are amongst them like the wheat and the weeds that grow with them. We are sinners too, besides the ones you listed! Aren't we?!

Cantarella · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2015, 04:08:51 PM »

Avoid that person at all costs if it becomes an occasion of sin for you. Otherwise, the treatment should be civil but not familiar, and always aiming towards that person's conversion, repentance, or/ and amendment. Catholics should not have familiarity with non-Catholics (heretics/apostates) or other sinners but we should still give charity admonishing and correcting them when needed be. St Jerome's commentary explains this balanced approach between avoidance and general charity:

Quote

"Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him, God speed you." 2 John 1: 9-10

*St Jerome commentary: [10] Nor say to him, God speed you: This admonition is in general, to forewarn the faithful of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity with those who have prevaricated and gone from the true faith, and with such as teach false doctrine. But this is not forbidding a charity for all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation of every one, even of our enemies.

shin · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:04:13 PM »

Birds of a feather flock together.

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:06:13 PM »

Quote from: shin

Birds of a feather flock together.

Are you sure that is what that is referring to? Christ sat with the sinners in the gospel.

shin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:26:41 PM »

The reason He was with them was for their conversion. For otherwise "what society is there between light and darkness? And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the infidel?"

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:35:02 PM »

Quote from: shin

The reason He was with them was for their conversion. For otherwise "what society is there between light and darkness? And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the infidel?"

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Ok. But can anyone honestly say they are not a sinner? If we are all sinners then shouldn't we all stay away from each other? Obviously not... I am just raising this question to here what you have to say.

Miseremini · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:50:37 PM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

Christ sat with the sinners in the gospel.

Did He really? Or did He associate with them AFTER they followed Him? For example Matthew and Mary Magdalen. True He preached to them but did He actually socialize with them BEFORE they were willing to leave their previous life behind and follow Him.

:geezer:

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2015, 06:10:18 PM »

Quote from: Miseremini

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

Christ sat with the sinners in the gospel.

Did He really? Or did He associate with them AFTER they followed Him? For example Matthew and Mary Magdalen. True He preached to them but did He actually socialize with them BEFORE they were willing to leave their previous life behind and follow Him.

:geezer:

I assume they were sinners at that point in time. Can you call someone a sinner once that person has repented and completely turned away from all sin? I think not. Thus they were called "sinners" because they were at that point in time.

I am not sure if it is possible to ever completely turn away from all sin. But I imagine it is.

Nadir · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2015, 08:12:41 PM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

If you knew someone to be a sinner (fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ, etc.) would you advise to avoid that person?

It would very much depend on what that contact consisted of and for what purpose you were in their company.

You don't give any background here.
Is this a work situation?
Are you seeking pleasure form the company of these people?
Are you endeavoring to turn them to Christ?

Why did you ask the question in the first place. IF?

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2015, 10:34:38 PM »

Quote from: Nadir

Quote from: InfiniteFaith
If you knew someone to be a sinner (fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ, etc.) would you advise to avoid that person?

It would very much depend on what that contact consisted of and for what purpose you were in their company.

You don't give any background here.
Is this a work situation?
Are you seeking pleasure form the company of these people?
Are you endeavoring to turn them to Christ?

Why did you ask the question in the first place. IF?

I am saying to befriend someone whom you know to be a serious sinner.

Just curious.

Nadir · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2015, 01:05:07 AM »

For what purpose? That's what I'm getting at with my first 3 questions.

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2015, 05:04:11 AM »

Quote from: Nadir

For what purpose? That's what I'm getting at with my first 3 questions.

Like I said. Just curious. There doesn't have to be a purpose in order for curiosity to exist. There is no purpose.

Stubborn · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2015, 05:32:17 AM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

If you knew someone to be a sinner (fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ, etc.) would you advise to avoid that person?

Yes.

The evil, when it is everywhere like it is today, more easily corrupts those struggling to remain faithful than the other way around, that is the danger you need to avoid. This danger is present even for those whose faith is very strong, but for those whose faith is weak, it's all the more easy for them to corrupt themselves by the company they keep.

2Cor 6:14 Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?