Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
“My friends are a little rough around the edges, but if I keep hanging around with them, maybe some good will rub off.”
That’s a good thought, but it is flawed. Think about it. Which is easier – to pull someone down off a table or to pull someone up onto a table?
While we do need to spend time with unsaved people to tell them about Jesus and show them His love, we need to be careful of how often and for how long. Too much time spent with ungodly people or in ungodly surroundings will be more likely to pull us down into sin that to pull them up out of sin. Why? Paul gives us the answer in today’s Bible reading saying in verse 33, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
I encourage you to continue to witness to your unsaved friends, but, take some precautions:
* Limit your time with them.
* Take an older, more mature Christian friend with you.
* Spend lots of time before and after your visits praying and reading the Bible.
* If being with unsaved friends is tempting you to return to sinful behavior, stop seeing them. Continue to pray for them, but ask your pastor or other Christians to witness to your friends for you.
It’s never wise to jeopardize your relationship with God. God values your relationship to Him even more than he values your service to Him.
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I really want my friends to get to know You. Help me to know the best way to share You with them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.