“…what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.” – 2 Corinthians 6:16
Paul is admonishing the Corinthian believers, whose association with unbelievers led them to compromise their faith in Christ. Paul reminds them that they are the temple of the living God, and they should break their associations which led them astray.
Satan is working 24/7 to negatively influence us and take us away from God. One of the avenues he often uses is our friendships. Does that mean we are to isolate ourselves and banish the unbelievers? Certainly not! We have to follow our Lord Jesus who lived an absolutely holy life, yet was called a friend of sinners and tax collectors. The principle is that we are to be in the world, but not of the world, like a ship should be in the water, but water shouldn’t be in the ship.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2