BAD COMPANY

(Editor's note:  this blog was originally posted 9-5-22. It was accidentally deleted, so we're re-posting it. Thank you for your understanding)

It is painfully obvious that in the Christian life, there is a battle to influence us toward sin and away from righteousness. One of the fronts in this battle involves the company we keep.
 
In 1 Corinthians 15:33, we read, “Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits.” Other translations enlighten this:

• New American Standard: “Bad company  corrupts good morals.”
• New International Version: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
• Contemporary English Version: “Bad friends will destroy you.”

The principle is that we are to beware of and avoid building deep relationships with those who are not walking with the Lord.
 
Before we unpack this principle, let’s clarify something: it does not mean that you cannot have unsaved friends or interact on any level with non-Christians. There are two reasons we know this is true:
1) Jesus Himself ate with sinners, and 2) It is impossible to witness and share the gospel with our unsaved friends if we have none. Avoiding bad company does not mean a monastic isolation from any and all who do not know Christ.
 
So what does it mean? Let’s look at a few principles from Scripture that might help us understand:
 
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Another way of saying this is that our companions should affirm and build-up our faith. We should all have a buddy or circle of friends that will help us be a better Christian.
 
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
This is often applied to dating and marriage, but there is a broader application as it relates to any close relationship, be it church ministries or even business relationships. Experience has shown that most of the time, these unequal pairings result in the saved partner compromising or walking away from their Christian principles.
 
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
This is related to the earlier principle of walking with the wise. Why spend most of our time and energy with those who want to steer us away from the things of the Lord or those who would introduce doubts into our life? Many a Christian’s walk from faith can be traced to the one who has predominately spoken into their life.
 
When evaluating our relationships, we should ask:

• Is what our partner doing considered sin?
• Are they engaged in an activity that would cause me to violate my Christian principles?
• Will I be in a position where I am forced to choose between my Christian friends and my unsaved friends?
• Do I find myself avoiding my Christian friends or even putting them down to make myself more likeable to the non-Christian companion?

 
If any of these things are true, we need to reconsider the nature of that relationship. Whether it is in morals, habits, or character, we need to be aware of who is influencing us.  “Do not be deceived,” says the apostle in 1 Corinthians 15:30.  Avoid bad company.