I hear on a regular basis the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. This is so true in our lives that we become that which we spend our time next to. Paul indicates this to the Corinthians as he is speaking about the resurrection of the dead.

“³³Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

I began a study on morals and immorality this morning and this is where I was led to kick things off. Paul understood that we are influenced by those we are around. We have to be fully aware of the company we keep to know of that influence.

But, you say, Jesus spent time with tax collectors and others who were known to be of questionable character. Yes, He did. But look back at the verse above, He was not deceived. Jesus knew exactly who He was engaged with and in that time loved them and gave them the gospel and was not influenced by them.

But, you say, I know that some of the folks in my circle are of questionable character and I am loving them and giving them the gospel. Yes, you may be. But, you are not Jesus and just like Adam and Eve, will eventually fall for the deception as they did.

So then, how are we to spread the gospel if we are not to be engaged with those who need it? Well, we are not to be deceived by the company we keep. It is right and just to spread the gospel to those of questionable character. But it is not right and just to stay engaged with them as our circle of “friends”. We must surround ourselves with those of like beliefs and actions. We are to be in fellowship of those who can and will build us up. We are to awake to the deception that will come from those of questionable character and turn to Christ and those who are also in Him.

“³⁴Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” – 1 Corinthians 15:34 (ESV)

We get our morality from Christ and not from those of questionable character. If/when we spend too much time with those of questionable character, we WILL follow them and fall away from the morality that comes from Christ. We are influenced by those we are close to and therefore we should be close to those of Christian character and examples of Christ.

Who are in your circle? Are you deceiving yourself to believe that you are not influence by them? What if those in your circle where those of Christian character and example of Christ?