1 Corinthians 15:33 (New King James Version) 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”;Original stock photo by mzacha
From the Frontrunner Commentary, it’s shared straight forward:
Paul is talking about those people with whom we associate or fellowship. We tend to take on the character of the group with which we associate. If we associate with people of bad character, they will succeed in pulling us down to their level.
It is not likely that we will succeed in pulling them up. It is much easier to go down than to go up, especially if those with whom you keep company have no reason to go up, being comfortable with the level at which they are at the time.
As parents, we are very much aware about the importance of guiding our children and teaching them discernment and wisdom on who they associate with, but this is a warning that we need to also take on ourselves as well too when it comes to whom we find ourselves around.
Sometimes we make the best of choices, but other times, its easy, in the spirit or even the pretenses of “ministering” to others that we can un-wittingly find ourselves, unconsciously being either led away, mislead or even used.
We cannot completely sheltered ourselves from the world, but we also have to be very careful how much involved we are involved in the world that even under the best of intentions, we can find ourselves, being un-knowingly associated with the company that we keep.
As I reflected on this verse, it is such a reminder too of Proverbs 27:17 that goes,
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
(Proverbs 27:17, New King James Version)
Just as good company can strengthen and encouraged us….the wrong company can easily dull us.
Think about cooking….when we cook and we cut and prepare our meals, having good knives is important. Over time, if not sharpen, the knives dull and rather than providing us with clean cuts, the food comes out improperly cut, jagged and often we find ourselves struggling to slice even a tomato.
The company we keep can do the same to ourselves, to our walk and even our reputations.
This is not to say, hide from the world, to hold people at bay, but a reminder of how are we ministering to those who are broken, lost and in need of His word…are we becoming too identify with them that if a stranger happen upon us…they would mistaken,even us for a lost world or will we stand out and unmistakenly be His lamp, leading others to hope and redemption?
As Matthew Henry Commentary cautions us,
We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better. (Pr 27:18)
Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;
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Twitter: iamvhen
says:
i so agree… and as the old saying goes: tell me who your friends are,and i will tell you who you are…
it is also important to be with good company, friends, with whom you associate. because at some point they influences your life…
here’s mine:
http://everyday-is-a-new-day-vhen.blogspot.com/2011/04/word-filled-wednesday-proverbs-33-4.html
Vhen(Quote) (Reply)
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It is so important and what you share is so true. It’s easy over time to become more influence by the people we are around so we have to be careful who we are friends with and not so much as NOT be friends or to minister, but we have to take care too of ourselves that we are careful in our walk and who we walk with.
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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we have to be very careful not to be of the world even if we are in the world. we are often taught in church to reach out to the lost, but reaching out to the lost means going to the world with them. we have to engage. but being in the world doesn’t mean that we should be of the world and do what the lost are doing. to fish for men, we should be deeply rooted in the Word so as not to be swayed or pulled out from it when we walk into the land of the lost.
Pia(Quote) (Reply)
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Praise God that His Word is a strong foundation that we can base our hope on!
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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A wise word for any day of the year.
Have a Blessed Easter,
Janis
Janis@Open My Ears Lord(Quote) (Reply)
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Thank you and thank you for dropping by here!
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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What a great reminder! Thank you!
Stefanie Brown recently posted..Just Askin’…
Stefanie Brown(Quote) (Reply)
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So glad that you are participating in WFW!
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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Twitter: JoyOfDesserts
says:
Great photo too. One of my friends often refers to people as sheeple because whatever one does, the others will do the same. Perfect for this Bible quote. My grandma always said “Show me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” Best to keep good friends lest we become bad too.
Joy @ Joy of Desserts recently posted..Vintage white cake recipe
Joy @ Joy of Desserts(Quote) (Reply)
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Sadly that is true though…if we are not careful we can be defined by who our friends with; That is harder though with ministry since we are supposed to go out in the world, but if we are with others and our actions aren’t reflecting our words and we can be mistaken for that of the world…a good call to step back and maybe re-evaluate sometimes.
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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Twitter: the160acrewoods
says:
great reminder!
amydeanne(Quote) (Reply)
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