Keep Good Company

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do you ever wonder why it isn’t the other way around? I have many wonderful godly friends that I’ve been blessed with but that was not always so. Of course, God does send godly influences into our lives; people who will show His love and share His word (and I thank Him for those people) but generally speaking just being in good company doesn’t usually bring up the morals of sinners. That’s why it is so important to guard our hearts and minds against the enemy in his attempts to deceive and to corrupt us. I want God to use me and I want others to see Him in me but I also know that bad company does corrupt good morals unless we remember that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. We will rub shoulders with the world and that is how it should be if we are going to show God’s love but we must also remember that we are in the world and not of it in order not to bring dishonor to His holy name.

I know first hand that this verse is true and bad company can be found even in the church; that’s why we must guard our hearts against deception. Pastor Holder has said this many times and it is certainly true that the values and the character of our friends are a pretty good reflection of our own morals. Be sure to remain sober-minded so that you aren’t deceived, misled or corrupted by bad company.