Be not
deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33).
The Bible
says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools
shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor
sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” The wrong company can influence you to do
the wrong things.
For
instance, the Bible says, “Show respect to the aged; honour the presence of an
elder…” (Leviticus 19:32 MSG). Ephesians 6:2 says, “Honour your father and
mother.” Imagine that you have a friend who says you don’t have to do it.
That’ll be an ungodly counsel. The Word says, “pray without ceasing” (1
Thessalonians 5:17). But your friend says, “Must you pray all the time?” The
Word tells you to not neglect church meetings, but your friend says otherwise.
Don’t follow his ungodly counsel, but do the Word always.
In 1
Corinthians 5:11 GNB, the Bible says, “…you should not associate with a person
who calls himself a believer but is immoral or greedy or worships idols or is a
slanderer or a drunkard or a thief. Don’t even sit down to eat with such a
person.” It parallels the Spirit’s admonition in Philippians 3:2, to beware of
dogs, evil workers, and manipulators. It’s a stern warning from the Lord. When
you see an inscription on someone’s gate that reads, “Beware of dogs,” they’re
warning you of the dogs inside; not the ones outside.
Also, when
it says beware of “evil workers,” the Greek rendering actually means “mischief
makers”; mischievous people. The Bible wouldn’t warn you of such people if they
weren’t dangerous. Therefore, if someone, whom you may even respect, tells you
something you know isn’t consistent with the Word, you shouldn’t accept it. Be
guided by the Word in all you do, and your life will glorify God.
PRAYER: Dear
Father, I walk in the prearranged paths which you made ready for me before the
foundations of the world. I’m guided by your Spirit to walk in wisdom and
understanding, filled with the thoughts of righteousness. I’m guided and
regulated by the Word, today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further
Study: ||Psalm 1:1 Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. ||
|| Matthew
5:29-30 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand
offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee
that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be
cast into hell. ||
|| Psalm
26:4-5 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the
wicked. ||
1-Year
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, Proverbs 3-4
2-Year
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Jeremiah 16
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