BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER

[Roughsoul1991]

BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER


1 Corinthians 15:33
New International Version
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Wisdom tells us we should be cautious about who our kids hang around but if not careful we can think to ourselves as adults that we are more mature and can withstand the temptations of bad company.


The only way for holiness to be fruitful is to surround ourselves with the memory and witness of others.


Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


Your inner circle should be those who are encouraging spiritual growth founded in Christ. Be encouraged by the cloud of witnesses that came before us. The zeal of Paul, the courage of Peter, the selfless love of the martyrs.


Equally yoked is used in a marriage context but it is wise to apply the standard to the close company we keep as well.


Amos 3:3
New King James Version
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?


How can you expect to move in one direction while being pulled in another? Sure by great willpower you may drag yourself a quarter of a mile and fall into exhaustion but imagine the journey without the resistance of bad company.


This doesn't mean we are to neglect the message of the gospel and not to love those who are not yet walking in the same direction. But it takes discernment, good judgment, and wisdom to know how far to walk before it's time to turn around. It doesn't mean we are better than others but simply we know how weak the flesh is, we know how easily the carnal nature loves sin.


If a farmer after planting never left the field, he would die from starvation as his labor is far from producing fruit. He must leave, go home, rest, eat, drink, and return periodically to check on the field.


We must also be like the farmer, plant the Word, but we must also spend time at home (the body of believers), rest in the justification of Christ, eat of the bread of life (the Words of God), drink of the living water (stay hydrated by the Holy Spirit) and then return to labor some more.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Which is worse? To be around non-believers who are good-natured, or believers who are Christian in name only?

 

[AutumnBreeze]

So true! I love Yeshua's message in John 17--specifically in verse 15 when He prays not that God would take His disciples out of the world, but that God would "keep them safe from the evil one."

I've taken a lot of CPR classes, and the first rule is to make sure the scene is safe before approaching (aka wisdom). I think the same applies here.

 

[shittim]

Until we are totally conformed to the image of the Son, aren't we all at least a little "in name only"?
blessings

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Which is worse? To be around non-believers who are good-natured, or believers who are Christian in name only?

I'd rather be surrounded by non-believers than Christians in name only. Who did Yeshua cast out of the Temple? I think He called them whited sepulchres, children of the devil.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Which is worse? To be around non-believers who are good-natured, or believers who are Christian in name only?

Good natured to human standards is just as sinful as false Christians. Both would be dangerous in the pursuit of holiness. As to why, wisdom would lead you to Christians that are both fruitful in word and action.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Until we are totally conformed to the image of the Son, aren't we all at least a little "in name only"?
blessings

We all may mistakes and fall short, but to answer your question, no.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Good natured to human standards is just as sinful as false Christians. Both would be dangerous in the pursuit of holiness. As to why, wisdom would lead you to Christians that are both fruitful in word and action.

I'm talking about good-natured in the sense of treating others like they'd want to be treated. That's not a human standard and is in fact that highest divine law. From my experience, many non-believers attempt to live at least by some measure of that standard.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Which is worse? To be around non-believers who are good-natured, or believers who are Christian in name only?

I'd rather be surrounded by non-believers than Christians in name only. Who did Yeshua cast out of the Temple? I think He called them whited sepulchres, children of the devil.

Good natured to human standards is just as sinful as false Christians. Both would be dangerous in the pursuit of holiness. As to why, wisdom would lead you to Christians that are both fruitful in word and action.

I don't have any Scripture to back this up, so let me know what you think.

I think false Christians are more dangerous because they pretend to represent God but it's inaccurate. It wasn't until after I met Yeshua that I started reading my Bible and realized just how many lies I actually believed about Him due to being taught said-things as a child by false Christians.

Sorry this is getting way off of your original post. I try to just have discernment in all things--wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16) I still fail, though. Bleh. Thank God He loves me even still!

 

[Kroogz]

View attachment 277320

BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER


1 Corinthians 15:33
New International Version
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Wisdom tells us we should be cautious about who our kids hang around but if not careful we can think to ourselves as adults that we are more mature and can withstand the temptations of bad company.


The only way for holiness to be fruitful is to surround ourselves with the memory and witness of others.


Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


Your inner circle should be those who are encouraging spiritual growth founded in Christ. Be encouraged by the cloud of witnesses that came before us. The zeal of Paul, the courage of Peter, the selfless love of the martyrs.


Equally yoked is used in a marriage context but it is wise to apply the standard to the close company we keep as well.


Amos 3:3
New King James Version
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?


How can you expect to move in one direction while being pulled in another? Sure by great willpower you may drag yourself a quarter of a mile and fall into exhaustion but imagine the journey without the resistance of bad company.


This doesn't mean we are to neglect the message of the gospel and not to love those who are not yet walking in the same direction. But it takes discernment, good judgment, and wisdom to know how far to walk before it's time to turn around. It doesn't mean we are better than others but simply we know how weak the flesh is, we know how easily the carnal nature loves sin.


If a farmer after planting never left the field, he would die from starvation as his labor is far from producing fruit. He must leave, go home, rest, eat, drink, and return periodically to check on the field.


We must also be like the farmer, plant the Word, but we must also spend time at home (the body of believers), rest in the justification of Christ, eat of the bread of life (the Words of God), drink of the living water (stay hydrated by the Holy Spirit) and then return to labor some more.

Yes. Find our right pastor teacher. Bible doctrine. A line upon line and precept upon precept local assembly.

Most of our "company" is a bunch of do gooders who have no clue how to live the Christian way of life.
90% of the time I would rather go to the local pub over the local "church" around here.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

So true! I love Yeshua's message in John 17--specifically in verse 15 when He prays not that God would take His disciples out of the world, but that God would "keep them safe from the evil one."

I've taken a lot of CPR classes, and the first rule is to make sure the scene is safe before approaching (aka wisdom). I think the same applies here.

Isn't that interesting the choice of God knowing it would be safer to take us out of the world but He prays that we may be protected from Satan in the world. There is a mission for the Christians while living in the world and to take us out of the world too soon robs us of the opportunity to work with God.

To work with God is such a blessing that is far greater than silver, gold, and life itself. To see hearts changed, lives saved, and the light shining in all forms of darkness is amazing.

It is this true fire that we seek and desire to warm our souls. A fire doesn't do very well in a wet and humid climate, but only in a dry setting. We must use the wisdom of where we need to be. Are we on fire and ready to face the culture or are we feeling quenched and needing to refuel?

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Isn't that interesting the choice of God knowing it would be safer to take us out of the world but He prays that we may be protected from Satan in the world. There is a mission for the Christians while living in the world and to take us out of the world too soon robs us of the opportunity to work with God.

To work with God is such a blessing that is far greater than silver, gold, and life itself. To see hearts changed, lives saved, and the light shining in all forms of darkness is amazing.

It is this true fire that we seek and desire to warm our souls. A fire doesn't do very well in a wet and humid climate, but only in a dry setting. We must use the wisdom of where we need to be. Are we on fire and ready to face the culture or are we feeling quenched and needing to refuel?

That's so good! It reminds me of something MSJ posted this morning: "Ignorance insures insecurity; scriptural knowledge secures strength."

When the early church needed more people to step up to help, it wasn't so that the disciples would have more time to help the poor or put on a bigger show--it was so they would have more time to pray and study the scriptures! (Acts 6:1-7)

 

[Roughsoul1991]

I'd rather be surrounded by non-believers than Christians in name only. Who did Yeshua cast out of the Temple? I think He called them whited sepulchres, children of the devil.

I don't have any Scripture to back this up, so let me know what you think.

I think false Christians are more dangerous because they pretend to represent God but it's inaccurate. It wasn't until after I met Yeshua that I started reading my Bible and realized just how many lies I actually believed about Him due to being taught said-things as a child by false Christians.

Sorry this is getting way off of your original post. I try to just have discernment in all things--wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16) I still fail, though. Bleh. Thank God He loves me even still!

Very true and I think it is simply that both are dangerous just in different ways. If one desires the encouragement of holiness then a false Christian will either not take it seriously or will lead you into legalism. A non-Christian has influenced many of faith to back away from Biblical commands on lgbt, sex, marriage, the exclusiveness of Jesus as being the only way, etc.

So it takes wisdom with both crowds. It is still absolutely in our best interest to surround ourselves with a Paul, Peter, or Billy Graham.

Jesus spent most of His time with the 12 and even was recorded to go off and pray to the Father.

We all fail. Except one walks with repentance to turn back while the other cares not and continues in the opposite direction often trying to pull you with them.

 

[timf]

BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER

It may be that's what Satan was counting on when he invented college.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Yes. Find our right pastor teacher. Bible doctrine. A line upon line and precept upon precept local assembly.

Most of our "company" is a bunch of do gooders who have no clue how to live the Christian way of life.
90% of the time I would rather go to the local pub over the local "church" around here.

This is wonderful but I think we all still need that 10%. We need at least a Paul to Timothy guidance and a Barnabas to Paul encourager.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER

It may be that's what Satan was counting on when he invented college.

Lol nah maybe modern college. Most colleges started as Christian schools.

 

[Kroogz]

This is wonderful but I think we all still need that 10%. We need at least a Paul to Timothy guidance and a Barnabas to Paul encourager.

I agree. But I think those scriptures are little deeper than "who we hang out with." They are about who we listen to and learn from.

The majority of us work and that is where the majority of our time is spent. I "hang around " some pretty rough characters for 60 hrs a week.

Who we yoke ourselves to......Teachers/pastors/mentors

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Lol nah maybe modern college. Most colleges started as Christian schools.

That's true. Christianity had a remarkable effect on the development of the US.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

I agree. But I think those scriptures are little deeper than "who we hang out with." They are about who we listen to and learn from.

The majority of us work and that is where the majority of our time is spent. I "hang around " some pretty rough characters for 60 hrs a week.

Who we yoke ourselves to......Teachers/pastors/mentors

They absolutely are deeper but the average attention span of a reader is typically very short. But the comment section is great for going deeper. Good job!

 

[Kroogz]

Lol nah maybe modern college. Most colleges started as Christian schools.

I believe the local assembly should be like college. Churning out Saints with master degrees in Bible doctrine. Equipping them with all the tools needed to fulfill Gods plan for their lives.