Thursday, February 7, 2013
By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo
Bad Company
1 Corinthians 15:33 "...bad company corrupts good character."
Today's verse is not just an old cliché. It is very much the truth and actually originated in the Bible. Today, we will be looking at this verse from a different perspective. Most read this verse and quickly relate it to someone hanging with the "wrong crowd, but what exactly is the "wrong crowd?" Is it a group that is involved with drugs or violence? Certainly, that would not be a crowd that I would want myself or my family around. However, the "wrong crowd" isn't just about bad morals.
I believe it's about bad attitudes as well. Have you ever been around someone that was SO negative that you feel discouraged by the end of the conversation!?! In my opinion, people with bad attitudes can be "bad company." Merriam Webster defines "character" as "one of the attributes or features that make up and DISTINGUISH an individual."
Your "character" is not just about your reputation as an upstanding citizen. Your character goes beyond that. Your character is the distinguishing factor of whether you are a positive person or a negative person, a peacemaker or a trouble-maker, a high-achiever or an under-achiever, etc. Your character is a combination of your reputation and the MANNER you RESPOND to situations.
Webster defines "corrupt" as "to change from good to bad in morals, MANNERS, or ACTIONS." Consequently, corrupting good character is not just about getting someone to sway from their moral standards. It's also about affecting how a person reacts to life.
I challenge you to surround yourself with positive, uplifting and God-believing people. It can be a matter of life or death who you choose to seek out for advice and allow to speak into your life. When facing a medical trial especially, do NOT allow people to continue to tell you stories of "so-and-so" who had the same condition with unfavorable results. Seek out people who believe that with God, ALL things are possible!
I've often heard, "If you hang around a pig pen too long, you are going to get dirty." When in conversations with people who are spewing negativity, redirect the conversation to God's miraculous power and love. Otherwise, you will find yourself weighted down by those negative words, and you will become VERY discouraged! DO continue to be a positive light to these people that God has placed in your life and be sensitive to what they are sharing, but do not continually entertain negativity.
Dear Lord, Thank You that You have come to give me abundant life. I pray that ALL my conversations would bring You glory. Guard my ears, and give me peace that you are working a miracle on my behalf.
I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
