The natural condition of all human beings as a result of sharing in Adam's fall. Believers are called not to associate with, nor give approval to wickedness but to stand apart from evil as God's holy people.
Participation in Adam
In Adam's humanity
Genesis 3:20, Genesis 5:1–3; John 3:6; Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 15:48–49
In Adam's sin
Romans 5:12 See also Hosea 6:7; Romans 5:15–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22GEN 1 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:20–21
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
In a sinful nature
Ephesians 2:3 See also Romans 7:5, Romans 7:14–20
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Ways of participating in evil
Associating with evildoers
Psalm 50:18 See also Genesis 49:6; Leviticus 15:31; Joshua 23:12–13; Job 34:8; Psalm 141:4; Proverbs 22:24–25; 2 John 1:10–11 giving hospitality to evildoers
When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers.
Giving approval to evil
Leviticus 19:17; Psalm 64:5; Romans 1:32 See also 2 Samuel 3:28–29, 2 Samuel 3:37; Psalm 49:13; Ezekiel 13:22; Luke 11:48; Acts 7:60, Acts 22:20; Romans 14:22; Ephesians 5:11
You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
Sacrifice and idolatry
Numbers 25:1–3 See also 2 Kings 17:33; Hosea 4:17; 1 Corinthians 10:18–20
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.
God's people are not to participate in evil
God's people are called to be holy
Leviticus 20:26 See also Leviticus 11:44–45, Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16
You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.
Separation from foreign gods
Joshua 23:7 See also Deuteronomy 12:30, Deuteronomy 29:18; 1 Kings 11:2
So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.
Separation from the godless
Ezra 10:11 Too close an association with the nations round about, particularly in marriage, would cause Israel to compromise her unique relationship with God; 2 Corinthians 6:14 Often related to marriage, this applies to all close alliances with unbelievers. See also Ezra 4:1–3, Ezra 9:1–2Revelation 18:4 See also Ezra 10:2; Nehemiah 2:20, Nehemiah 10:30, Nehemiah 13:26–27; Jeremiah 51:45; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Isaiah 52:11
Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.”
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.
Separation from evildoers
1 Timothy 5:22 See also Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:14
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.