1 Cor 5:9-13
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Who Is “Breaking Bad” (Wicked)?
From the Broadway play, “Wicked.” An unlikely friendship develops between Galinda (left) and Elphaba (right) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is ever so easy to point our finger at others when we think of people who’ve fallen headlong into badness. Ahab, Jezebel, your pedophile neighbor, insensitive boss, a family member who just got out of jail or had a child out-of-wedlock come to mind when the subject of badness comes up. But what about the face you see every morning? How many times have you coveted, lied, cheated, stolen, committed adultery, or fornication? Can you truly say that you never kneaded (needed?) the leaven of malice and wickedness into your life? Hmmmm.
Don’t Be Clueless About Wickedness
The Bible has another word for badness: “wickedness.” Nowadays, being “bad” is admired. The word wicked packs a stronger punch. You can be wicked and not know it. Not being aware of your own wicked behaviors happens when you fail to set up accountability. If you are a Christian, surround yourself with believers who are willing to tell you the truth and let you know when your “foot is slipping.” Hearing the truth isn’t always pleasant, but it helps to keep your path straight. The Bible says “bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Being friends with wicked people exposes you to bad habits that you will eventually learn and accept. Acceptance of evil leads to a conscience hardened against the things of God.
What to Do About Bad Company
Today’s verses are strong medicine. It says that you should plainly, unequivocally, not hang around people who are idolators, fornicator, extortioners, drunkards, etc. No, not even if they call themselves Christians. Not even if you sing in the choir with them, or see them every Sunday. Not even if it’s your pastor or a deacon. It’s one thing to correct a brother or a sister, and it’s quite another to make them a continuous part of your life. Consider this: If you are single, and you have friends who say they are Christians who engage in premarital sex (while you are abstinent), how long do you think you will remain chaste? If you have a problem with drinking or drug use, and you have friends who indulge freely in these things, how long do you think you will remain sober?
Got Bad Company? Leave!
Trying to pull away from bad company isn’t easy. You will be accused of thinking you’re too good to be around them, but don’t be intimidated by the fact that your friends no longer think you’re “down” with them: Because guess what? Instead of being down with them and their sinful ways, your highest goal should be righteousness. The mind of Christ should be the goal of every Christian’s life. There’s a big difference between upright and uptight, so don’t let those who do wrong continually intimidate you because they are popular, wealthy, or have “style.”
Believers have an obligation to live right and to judge their own lives. We also have an obligation to “judge them that are within” the church. This is not a license to slander or gossip. It is a mandate to discern right from wrong, and to choose the will of God over the ways of the world. Churches today are so worldly minded, you can’t tell believers from the average nonbeliever of their same class. Things have gotten so bad, that the divorce rate in the church is the same as that outside the church.
Breaking Up (With Wicked Folk) Can Be Hard
It can be overwhelming to think about how to bring the Church back to the standards of God. Putting people out of church is a scary thought, but today’s verses challenge us to do just that when believers are incorrigible. The fact remains that when Christians take righteousness seriously and start individually reaching “for the mark of the prize” that is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, we are conformed to the image of Christ. When we decide to live right ourselves, then eventually the Church as a whole will begin to look more like Jesus.
Get Right With God & Do It Now!
Let go of whatever and whoever has you bound. 2 Thess 3:6 (KJV) says: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (Emphasis mine.)
So, repent. Change. Today. Wash daily in the Word of God. Pray without ceasing. Turn your back on the evil that haunts and taunts you. Decide to be accountable, and find accountability partners who are trustworthy and serious about living the Christian life.
Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
(Twitter handle: @vlights)
Further Reading:
What You Lookin’ At? How Bad Company (Corrupts Good Morals)
