Just Hanging Out, Right?

Reading Assignment: 1 Corinthians Chapters 15 - 16


"Be not deceived, evil communications (company) corrupt good manners."  
1 Corinthians 15:33


Sinful companionship will corrupt a good lifestyle. You may ignore this truth, you may deny it, you may wish it were not so, but the truth still remains that close friendship with ungodly persons will always have a negative impact on your Christian walk.


"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). 


Of course, we are to reach out and show genuine love toward unbelievers. But witnessing to an unbeliever and closely embracing an unbeliever are two different things.


Paul says, do not be deceived; No matter how much you may justify this friendship to yourself, you cannot change the spiritual reality. If you are yoked in a romantic relationship, a business partnership or a close camaraderie with an unbeliever, their lifestyle will inevitably become a stumbling block for you.


We do not like to think of friends or acquaintances as being "evil", but anything that draws you away from a single-minded pursuit of Christ will have an evil effect on your life. Their intentions may not be evil, their lifestyle may not appear evil, but if their faith is not in Christ then their effect on you will be evil.


Are you deceived about the nature and outcome of some company you are keeping? Are you allowing the unbelief of others to dim the fire of your own passion for God and His glory?


You are admonished by God to carefully consider the company that you keep, because you will one day be known to others, by the people you are closest to.


Faith Confession: Father, I will make the right choices about the people I allow in my inner-circle. I will keep close relationships with those who influence my life in a way that brings Glory and Honor to You!