The Bible says: “Bad company corrupts good
character.” 1. Corinthians 15:33 NLT
This means, being in relationships with people that
God did not mean for you to be in, is bad! The consequences of
having relationships with unrepentant people can be devastating and painful and
open the doors to all sorts of curses in our lives, which includes always being
sick and having financial problems! It will not lead us to the heart of Jesus Christ
and His blessings, but on the contrary, away from God into confusion, loss of
peace with God, and ultimately corrupting our good behavior! Being in bad
relationships almost always bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and
malice (see Ephesians 4:31).
That is why the Scriptures warns us to
stay away from people who are unloving and unforgiving; who slander others and
have no self-control and are cruel and have no interest in what is good. We
must stay away from those who betray their friends, are reckless, puffed up
with pride, and who love pleasure rather than God. These are the kind of people
who will act as if they are religious, but they will reject God’s power that
could make them godly (see 2. Timothy 3:2-5)!
We also need to watch out and stay away
from people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith, by teaching things
that are contrary to what the Bible, the Word of God, teaches us. Such people are
not serving Christ our Lord, they are serving their own personal interests. By
smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people (see Romans
16:17-18).
And, we are not to associate with
anyone who claims to be a Christian and yet indulges in sexual sin, or is
greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don’t
even eat with such people (see 1. Corinthians 5:11)!
