“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, CSB)
This is one of those take-stock moments where we assess the impact of others on our choices. Some friends understand and support our walk with Christ, others may ignore it, and some may actively try to undermine it. We must also weigh our susceptibility to the pressure of others.
The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB) And the Bible does say, “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, CSB) Some have considered this to mean a complete separation from everything and everyone on the worldly side of the line. Yes, we are now holy and separate, and yet we also live and interact in this world. This is one of those tensions we must keep in tune.
On the practical side, there is a time to separate and a time to come together. We should have friends and acquaintances who do not yet know Christ. In these relationships, we must also weigh their impact on us towards the ungodly versus our impact on them towards Christ. We must be willing to say no, at times, and stick to it. We must because we have another friend who cares deeply for us.
“One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, CSB) That friend is Jesus. Yes, He is Lord and savior. He is God the Son, majestic and all-powerful. And He is also our friend, “I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15, CSB) We can have many friends, but Jesus is our best friend.
Other verses for this promise (Compiled by David Wilkerson)
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 1 John 1:7
- Proverbs 18:24
- John 15:15
- Proverbs 2:20
- Psalm 1:1
- Proverbs 17:17
- 2 Corinthians 6:17
- Proverbs 13:20
- John 15:14
- Promises: Reputation - February 19, 2025
- Promises: Friends - February 17, 2025
- Promises: In Sickness - February 12, 2025
