Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals: (What You Lookin’ At?)

What You Lookin’ At? How Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals

Bad company can spell the end of your reputation and even your freedom. The Bible warns us often about taking stock of who we spend time with, as we see in these verses:

2 Thess 3:6 (KJV) 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.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Amplified Bible (AMP) 33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

 

Bad Company Is Not Where You’re Called

Just as polluted air makes your body sick, so is your character made ill by breathing in bad habits of others. Believers in Christ are “called” which means God chose us out of the sea of humanity, so that He can conform us to the image of Christ. Jesus said plainly that He is “not of this world” (John 8:23) so likewise those who have faith in Him are not of this world. This is why the Bible instructs us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to make our requests be made “known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) Praying without ceasing continually reminds us of the ways of our Lord. Prayer opens our hearts to hear His “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). He becomes the air that we breathe, and when His words fill our minds and hearts, we become infused with His spirit and life (John 6:63).

Today’s verses tell us that evil companions corrupt and deprave good manners, morals and character. Throughout the ages, parents have warned their children against bad company. In today’s world, though, we evil companions exert influence by virtual means. Because of the far reach and immediate access that modern-day media has to our lives, evil company is never far away. Evil company can even seem normal. How is that? Television shows are but one example of evil company. The wide-spread availability of porn and access to activities like speed-dating and sexting are but a few obvious examples. Other more subtle (socially acceptable) examples of bad company displayed in television shows are:

Scandal, Empire                                                                                                                    Criminal Minds                                                                                                                                                                            How to Get Away With Murder                                                                                            How I Met Your Mother

Law and Order SVU
Mad Men
The Good Wife
Two & a Half Men
Friends
Sex in the City
Snapped
Cheaters

These shows are tempting because they are often entertaining, well written, and their humor is often complex and acceptable from a literary perspective. What is wrong with these shows is that they continually present images of everything the Bible warns against. How many murders, acts of embezzlement, fornication, and adultery do you have to witness before your conscience becomes dulled? How many liars do you or your children have to listen to and reason along with before lying becomes acceptable?

Bad Company: TV Shows?

The temptation is to rationalize by saying “but these things are fiction, and part of enjoying fiction is a willingness to accept poetic license.” But. Your mind and its chemical reactions do not know that you are not the one committing these acts. Your mind races and your heart pounds just as if you were there. Long after the screen darkens , the imprints of what you have seen and heard ricochet through your subconscious mind. Corrupted TV shows and music are bad company that corrupt good morals. This is a bit purist for the likes of some Christians, but our instructions about what we should allow around us is clear:

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.

Romans 1:32
 says: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

So take an inventory of what you read, see, touch, etc. Hold whatever media you allow against the light of God’s word, and see how they hold up. So what are you lookin’ at?

Until next time, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Your friend in Christ,

Verneda

Twitter handle: @vlights

© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.

Last updated June 7, 2016