The Company We Keep

The Company We Keep Devotional Reading and Podcast

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character…’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33

The title, “Solo Female Traveler” was an introduction to keeping van lifer’s physical safety as a priority. The most important advice was to beware of strangers, whether they are male or female when living on the road. As I listened to the various strategies for keeping oneself safe, I thought about keeping ourselves safe from the warfare of having relationships with unbelievers.

Is it possible to avoid the danger of bad company by using our mental and intellectual faculties to develop spiritually safe strategies? Does our overconfidence empower us to think we can have social interactions with worldlings and not compromise our relationship with Christ? No, we cannot overcome our natural inclination to sin without Divine Intervention.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2

The New Living Translation explains Romans 12:2 in plain English: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Most often Satan uses the familiar people in our lives to draw us into temptation. Because we have love in our hearts for spouses, significant others, family, and friends, our guard is down. The invitation to attend a social function, dinner date, or a shopping trip as a get-together causes us to assume that our status as Christians will be respected. But Satan has no boundaries in using undercover strategies to pull us into sinful situations.

Can we keep ourselves safe from spiritual warfare when interacting with unbelievers? No. We receive wisdom and discernment only through diligent prayer, studying the Scriptures, and asking for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Total obedience to every Scriptural command and warning demonstrates our love for God and proves that He is first in our lives.

Compromise begins by rationalizing and making excuses to hang out with those living in darkness. Beyond casual interactions or witnessing, we will fall! Although we accept others for who they are, Christians have nothing in common with the unrighteous [even if they are family members]. Using prior life experience, having overconfidence, or relying on self-derived boundaries to maintain an unequal relationship places us in opposition to God’s commands to remain separate.

Prideful strategies are not enough to keep us from falling into temptations that compromise our relationship with Christ. The apostle James tells us “Humility is the Cure for Worldliness.” “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8).

Guard your heart by standing your ground! We must not place ourselves in predicaments where we are being pulled away from our earthly journey on the Path of Righteousness. Our strength is in Christ Jesus, guard your hearts [and your salvation] by staying away from bad company.

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for the strength to overcome the temptation of socializing with unbelievers. Help us to draw close to You as we prepare for Your soon coming. In the Matchless Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen