“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33
It is certainly true that those with whom I have kept company have influenced my life. Some have influenced me for bad and some for good. I am very grateful that God protected me the times I was in bad company, and I am also grateful for the times he placed me with people who influenced me for good.
We are judged by the company we keep. That is why Paul warned the Corinthians not to be deceived. He was well aware of how easily they could be influenced by bad company.
When I was young my parents were careful that their children (all six of us!) avoided the wrong crowd. It was easier in those days to warn children about friends when we did not have cell phones or the internet. But my parents made sure that we went to a good church where we would find Christian friends, that we had good friends at school, that we were not to date before we were 16, and that there was an early curfew for us. Furthermore, I remember the times I observed my mother on her knees praying—most probably for me.
How careful are you that your children “go with the right crowd?”
When I married, my husband influenced me for good. To this day I thank God for the strong and faithful husband that he gave me. You may not be so fortunate but it’s still important to make friends with good people. And BTW are you praying for the perfect spouse for your child?
I can’t remember when or who it was that told me that I should seek to make friends with those I could look up to and aspire to be like them. I have found that to be good advice. I can minister to those who look up to me, but I should seek out friends who lift me up, not drag me down.
That carries over into organizations too. When I was being trained in BSF by Wetherell Johnson she told me that it is best not to “partner” with other organizations because we have no control over the direction they might take later. She reminded me that we are known by the company we keep. When I was director of Rafiki I remembered that advice and was careful about partnering with other organizations. We could cooperate with others for a specific purpose but we did not form partnerships with them. 1 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” We as Christians must take that to heart, whether personally or organizationally. Bad company ruins good morals!
Today, I am concerned about partnerships that our country might form. But I won’t get into politics!
Thank you Rosemary, for this. I Corinthians 15:33 has been on my mind a lot lately. My granddaughter went to a small town school with two other little girls from Christian families. They went through preschool, kindergarten, grade school and high school, doing everything together as an unbreakable trio. During the first year of college, the other two girls decided they were lesbians, one has already sought a partner. We are all devastated. My granddaughter wants to continue the friendships, but has also sought out some new Christian friends who host a Bible study in one of the girl's parents' home. She misses the easy comeraderie of her childhood friends, and often questions the reason she has to. I am so thankful that Paul said the words of I Cor 15:33. Needless to say, my daughter and her husband and I are on our faces before the Lord daily over this, with many tears. Also needless to say, we are more eagerly looking for Christ's coming to rescue us from this broken world. It is more difficult than ever to shield our children from bad influences.
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