Don't hang with the "bad birds"

It is said that birds of a feather flock together.  Some say that the expression appears to have surfaced in the 16th century, allegedly a literal translation of Plato's Republic.

 Bottom line...no matter where it came from, I think most would agree that "like attracts like".

So..what does scripture say about this....

In Revelations 18:2 it says:

....‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’   She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit,
 a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.

This passage always made me think of the old saying "birds of a feather flock together".   

My Grandma McNamara always used to say that and even at a young age, I "got it". 

She also said...show me your closest friends and I'll tell you who you are (wise Irish granny!)

When those who decide to hang with the "bad birds", they will find that they easily (and even joyfully!) give in to anger, lust, jealousy, envy, revenge...and pursue a course which seeks to damage or destroy others... they become embroiled in the root of bitterness...a deadly root that will poison a soul.

They are then transformed into a tool of the evil one.

A good example is the Gadarene madman, found in the Gospels. This is when Jesus confronted a man possessed with evil Spirits...demonstrating that a single individual can become the host to many devils.

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.  And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. (Luke 8:30,31).

You see...those "birds" (evil spirits) flocked together...stark evidence that we must protect our soul (the SACRAMENTS are the remedy!).   We must pray for these lost souls..the very people who may have wounded us.

Another example is the story of the sower of seed... the seed being the Word of God... and when some of the seed bounces off the hardened hearts of those who cannot receive the truth, the Scriptures tell us the birds came and devoured the seed...the birds represent the evil spirits.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up....When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (Matthew 13:4,19).

Unclean Birds are everywhere and comfortably clustered in their flocks ...we must pray for their salvation...but we must be careful that we do not "flock together"
Choose who you associate with wisely. 

Last...but not least...It is especially important for parents to help guide their children, as well.  As St. Elizabeth Ann Seton once said, "If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their children associate... Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse rather than what is better"