Seeking Righteousness in Friends

By: Pastor Starr

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness...

Isn't it interesting that evil corrupts good?

Normally it is not the other way around.

Those that were in my Bible class will remember this illustration, but say I take my son (who in this illustration has the flu) and I place him in a room full of healthy children his age...will the others that are healthy rub off on my son and make him well? No, in fact the opposite of that would be true. My son would probably make the other children sick with the flu.

Now think of this in the area of your friends.

Paul tells you to not be deceived, or in other words, do not be fooled! He says that evil communications corrupt good manners.

If you are hanging around an influence of friends that are comfortable with evil communication, filthy speech, bad manners, and sinful habits then it will affect you!

No matter how spiritual you try to be, if you hang around a worldly influence it will affect your life.

Rather, Paul in verse 34 tells you to seek righteousness. Look for friends that are serious about serving God, serious about attending church, serious about living righteously and serious about their relationship with God. Those are the friends that you need to surround yourself with.

Evaluate your friends. Need a change? They will either lead your closer to Christ or corrupt your good character.

Watch the company you keep because they could be keeping you from God!