Click For Audio Version
FRIENDS
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV
As kids, we are not particular about choosing our friends. Our friend might be the kid who sits next to us in school or who starts playing with us on the playground. Maybe there is nothing else in common, but we are very young, and if they play with us, we are content.
As we age, we gravitate toward those who share the most in common with us. You realize that you enjoy having the same games, books, or sports in common. You might live near one another, attend the same church, and know the same people.
Comfortable and Uncomfortable
Somewhere along the way, we begin to realize that some friendships are comfortable and in accord with our beliefs and our moral choices in life, while others give us warning signs. Sometimes, you feel uncomfortable being with certain people. Maybe you are already a Christian, and while you are to witness to all people, you see that some are living very differently from those with your values.
You invite these unbelievers to your church, but receive only scoffs and foul language in response to your invitation.
Instead, you realize more and more that you find yourself enjoying the company of those who see things as you do.
There is a reason that we follow that comfort trail.
Evil Is Not What True Christians Want.
Evil is not what we want to have in our lives as Christians. It is not who we are as believers.
We recall our lives before we believed in Christ, confessed our sins to God through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our redemption, and began our journey of obeying and following Christ.
Now we are assured of our salvation and know that we are on a path of service and love.
We don’t feel comfortable with those living for the devil and encouraging us to do the same.
We flee the devil at every opportunity…even when his followers are the ones we must flee as well.
Pray for them, of course. Witness as the opportunity arises, but they will let you know that they realize there are miles between you in choices and pleasures.
Now we look at today’s verse:
…”Evil company corrupts good habits.”
When we open the door and invite someone in who is living for the devil and embracing such lifestyles, we will eventually see our good habits being changed.
The sin we once lived in will resurface if we allow it to be fed.
We will be changed back to the way we once lived as we again follow sin and turn away from the teachings of Jesus.
As Christians, God’s laws become what we WANT to live by. The Judeo-Christian value system is our guideline.
The verse here is a warning to us, and it is vitally important for us to heed.
Spend time with the people who are living the godly life that you too wish to live. The time we spend with those who follow evil will bring us more and more into their influence and sin.
Your Best Friends
Who are your best friends? I will show you much of who you are by who you follow.
If you could choose only one best friend, who would it be?
If you choose Jesus, you will never be wrong.
Let us look together at a truly amazing verse.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
Think of it. God made sinless Jesus to become sin for US.
Jesus took our sins upon Himself so that WE might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Did we really get that? There is incredible power and truth in that passage.
In our faith in Christ, WE BECOME the righteousness of God.
There is no finer friend than Christ, no greater righteousness to keep within our hearts than this blessing God has given those who believe
and obey.