“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul…An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression” (Proverbs 22:24-25, 29:22).
“It is far better to be alone than to be in bad company” (George Washington). A wise person chooses his friends with great care. As America’s first President observed, he is better off with no friends than ones who would have an evil influence on him. Because there are some types of people whose character flaws are too significant and spiritually toxic, they are categorically exempted from any consideration of friendship.
A toxic person is toxic because of:
- His wicked behavior. He has no self-control. His lack of control over his temper is expressed in a lack of control over his tongue. This lack of self-control makes him a troublemaker. Wherever he goes there is an abundance of strife and transgression.
- His corrosive influence. The force of his personality and example degrades the character and behavior of those who closely associate with him. They learn his ways and begin to imitate his evil traits. This is a serious spiritual snare, with eternal repercussions.
Beware of spiritually toxic people.
