Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals
By George Stroh
November 15, 2011
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
(Psalms 1:1-2)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church; "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33). Unregenerate (unsaved) people that you listen to can negatively influence you. These false teachers promote doctrines of demons trying, if possible, to deceive even Christian believers, drawing them away from the truth of God's word. Our enemy uses books, TV, movies, the Internet and other media to deceive whoever will listen to his lies. Watching, listening to and following after ungodly people will lead to ungodly thinking, moral corruption and sin; "Bad company corrupts good morals".
Rather than being negatively influence by the wicked, sinners and scoffers (unbelievers), we are encouraged to listen to and meditate upon God's word, the Bible; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2). This leads to spiritual and moral strength and prosperity in the Lord; "He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3)
Both corruption, as well as, spiritual growth happen gradually and progressively. Notice the downward progression in Psalm 1 where the blessed man does not "walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of the scoffers". Walking (casual interest) leads to standing (paying more attention) which finally leads to sitting (fully engaged and following after). This gradual downward progression is especially dangerous for new believers, but even more mature Christians can be lead astray.
The antidote is to be like a tree firmly planted. This is also a gradual growing process. A small acorn that is properly planted and watered in time becomes a tall, strong oak tree. And new believers who are properly grounded and constantly nourished in the word of God, in time become strong, mature Christians.
This doesn't, of course, mean that we are never to be around unbelievers. On the contrary, we Christians are called to be a godly influence as light and salt in this dark and corrupt world. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. But be careful as to what you watch, who you listen to and what you follow after (walking, standing and sitting). Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals! Maranatha!
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