Are you watchful of your associates? If you have children, do you watch with whom they associate? It is indeed true our companions can either build us up or tear us down. Those with whom we associate, and our children associate can lead us to sin, or build us up in the faith.
Have you ever noticed one which started down the right road and then suddenly changed directions? They became involved with shady companions or friends and watched them slowly drift into the habit of drinking, cursing, drugs and many other sins, for sins are companions as well. One begets another and another. And then you watched the person slowly self-destruct.
I’ve seen it happen and some never found their way back from the degradation of their lives. The evils continued to worsen and the root was in the company they kept. They were certainly not their friends.
It is imperative we watch, young and old, with whom we daily associate. Like begets like and if we are not vigilant and watchful of whom we associate, we too will spiral downward. Make no mistake about it nor deceive yourself into thinking those involved deeply in sin will not influence us for evil if we make companions of them.
I know of a sad situation in which this happened. A wife, mother and abuse of prescription drugs, evil companions and the descent into arrests for illicit drug use. A sure recipe for destruction not only of the physical but the spiritual as well. The woman is married to a drug addict just released from prison for the same. And it all started looking for drugs, becoming involved with those who trafficked in them and evolved into stealing, fornication, drug use, arrests, and jail and prison time for such. It was very sad to hear of such a case. I knew her husband. A decent and honorable man lost his wife because she had not discernment nor discretion nor the fortitude to just say no. There is much safety in the word “no.”
God gives us instruction and warning against evil companions. May we drown out the world’s voice and listen to His.
“Here is one of the most thoughtful questions you will ever answer: Are your friends and companions pulling you up or pulling you down? A degenerate companionship is like a dirty dog who dirties those he rubs against. Evil association can steal more than time; it can be the thief of character. But wholesome association makes bad people good and good people better.
As a general rule, we know a person by the company he keeps, for like attracts like. Wolves go in packs, cattle graze in herds, and people run with those of similar views and goals. This being true, tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you the person you are.” ~ Leroy Brownlow
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (I Corinthians 15:33)
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:7)
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.” (I Corinthians 5:11)
“Keep people in your life that truly love you, motivate you, encourage you, inspire you, enhance you and make you happy.” ~ Unknown
Eileen Light