Company of Character
HFAITHFUL PEN anyone been bombarded at work with foul language (of which you do not speak) by coworkers and then later you have a thought in your head containing a foul word? Or has someone had a friend who might have an annoying habit which you then take on? Or you have taken a liking to Romance Novels containing the dashing hunk that does everything right and then you think of your partner not living up to that standard? The actions and thoughts of others, good or bad can rub off on us. Repeatedly being bombarded by an action or thought could indelibly cause you to take on that action or thought and make it your own. We humans are like that. Then birds of a feather could then seek to gather together, which fortifies and intensifies certain actions or thoughts.
Bad association would be having association such as human contact, hobbies, digital viewing and books that disrupts righteous thinking. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 the Bible warns us by saying, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” This is because it will lead us in the wrong direction and cause us to falter spiritually, leading us away from God and life.
The Bible challenges us to consider the company we keep, and their influence on our character. Human nature is to reflect the behaviour of those we spend the most time with. This doesn’t mean to keep company with like-minded people, alone.
OBEDIENT
The Bible is cautioning us to keep the truth of the gospel at the centre of our souls, in order to guard our hearts and take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
Our personalities and characters are shaped and developed by the people we have always been around, and if we’ve always been around achievers, we’ll become more than achievers as well, and if we let ourselves be influenced and surrounded by people who don’t have plans for success, are lazy, and don’t have dreams in life, we’ll surely become worse than that. People who think incorrectly always act incorrectly. Incorrect behaviour results from incorrect thinking, beliefs and standards. It is impossible to associate with lazy and unproductive people on a regular basis without being contaminated by their ideas and habits.
Successful people allow themselves to be surrounded by successful people; businessmen go around with their fellow businessmen to learn from each other, and achievers always allow themselves to sit down with their fellow achievers to discuss how to get even greater success in life.
SURPRISED
The message is pretty clear, if you surround yourself with negative influences, do not be surprised when you start to absorb some of those traits. It is like lying down in a field of freshly painted red grass. You are going to stand up with some red on the back, regardless of how pristine your clothes were going in. The point Apostle Paul makes here in 1 Corinthians 15:33 is pertinent to all people in all ages. When we associate with or take delight in the company of people with worldly morals, we run the risk of mimicking their behaviours, their
language, and their habits. Before long we are no longer of Christ, but of the world with its denial of absolute authority, its rejection of the Bible as the Word of God, and its ideology of relative morality. This is especially pertinent to young people who are generally easily influenced by their peers. Young people are desperate for the approval of others. So motivated are they by the need for acceptance that godly wisdom in decision-making can go out the window in the face of peer pressure. Therefore, it is crucial for parents of young teens especially to be on guard against the influence of bad company.
So, what are we to do? Paul provides us the answer at the very end of chapter 15: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain”. As parents, we stand firm against ungodly influences that may corrupt our children. As Christians, we stand firm against those who would corrupt our walk with Christ. As church members, we stand firm against false teaching and watered-down Gospel presentations that lead others astray. In all things, we are ‘self-controlled and alert’
because our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
In the end, it is our life, and we are responsible for whatever outcomes we may have at the end of our journey on Earth, so be wary of the people who surround you now. If they are not helping you in reaching your destination, you should leave that company immediately before it is too late.
UNPLEASANT
There are many unpleasant habits from the world that can ‘rub off on us’ if we Christians let them or maybe we learned those rude habits from before we became Christians. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Therefore, Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Separating ourselves from the world includes more than staying away from the individuals who sin, it implies remaining near to God. It includes more than keeping away from diversion that prompts sin, it stretches out into how we invest our energy and money.
God calls Christians to live in independence and freedom from wrongdoing and the law and to live a life that is holy.