Question: It says in the Bible that we shouldn't hang around people that are evil or aren't Christians doesn't it? Well how can we do that if we are supposed to try and get the non-Christians to God. Or if we met a non-Christian guy that we liked, we could help show him the way to God. I just want to make sure I'm not committing a sin if I do this. Answer: A number of passages do directly warn us to beware of who we are keeping company with. For example... "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJ) "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20, NKJ) "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." (Proverbs 22:24-25, NKJ) "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on." (Proverbs 4:14-15, NKJ) These, and a number of other passages, clearly show us that those you regularly keep company with will affect you. Some will say, "well, what about Jesus? He's our example and he spent a lot of time with unsaved people." True. But look at the whole picture. Jesus knew what he believed, was unwaveringly secure in His belief, and did not just hang around unsaved for friendship. He continually taught the unsaved, by His example and by His words (i.e. Mark 2:13). And still, Jesus had a close group of friends who were believers (the disciples) whom he spent more time with than anyone else. (Not to mention that He regularly took time out to be alone with God, see Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12-) If you go to where the unsaved go, and do the things the unsaved do, and laugh at the jokes the unsaved tell, etc., etc., what witness do you have? And who is ultimately influencing who? What "new life in Jesus" can you offer when you live in the old? Jesus was a friend of sinners because he took the message to them -- and lived out that message, being different (separate) from them, even while he was with them (see Matthew 11:19-24) Yes, we as Christians need to befriend non-Christians. We need the opportunities to witness to them. But this does not mean compromising our beliefs (and practice of those beliefs) to do so. Things need to be in the right order. First be grounded in God's word. Secondly, surround yourself with the fellowship of other like-minded believers. Thirdly, go out and witness to the unsaved without participating in their evil deeds. This is the line you cannot cross. If the unsaved attempt to draw you into their practices (sin), you need to truly be able to respond as David did... "Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!" (Psalms 119:115, NKJ) The second part of your question raises a number of other issues. Are you interested in winning this guy to the Lord? Or are you interested in this guy and using the excuse of "winning him to the Lord" as justification for seeing or dating him? The following passage needs to be considered regarding this issue... "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.' Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, NKJ) Dating, in our culture, implies getting to know someone on a deeper level (romantic and intellectually) -- with a goal of finding out if this person is the person you should fall in love with and ultimately marry. A Christian should never date a non-Christian regardless of the reason. Christians and non-christians are motivated by completely different sets of values -- and the areas of love and sex are ones where these are often shown to have the widest separation. And you can't control when and if you might "fall in love" with that person. And, if so, you could never consider marrying a non-Christian without going against God's will. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 again). Sticking to truly being a friend -- no dating -- if the best way you can be a witness to him. "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22, NKJ) Putting yourself into a situation, or circumstance, where wrong sexual feels are encouraged is far from fleeing "youthful lust" -- rather it's willfully pursuing it. Notice that this verse ends by encouraging you to "pursue righteousness", etc., "with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." In other words, again we are told we need to have regular fellowship (and friendship) with other Bible believing, and living, Christians. As a side note, beware of the guy who will profess Christianity as an excuse to date you. If you don't see a consistent (over time) Christian walk -- as in the actions following the words -- don't assume anything. (And, if you truly want to see where he is in his spiritual walk, try starting each date with prayer, asking God to give you both the strength to remain pure in thought and deed. This acts as a great reminder of both of your responsibilities before God) "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." (Jude 1:20-23, NKJ)