Be Careful Who You Allow to Influence You
by Hugh DeLong
When Paul wrote to the brethren in Corinth about the resurrection, he told them it was a matter “of first importance” (I Corinthians 15:3). Without the resurrection, their faith was “worthless” (I Corinthians 15:17) and they were “most to be pitied” (I Corinthians 15:19).
However, some were saying “there is no resurrection of the dead” (I Corinthians 15:12). So Paul warned them to guard against those false teachers since they could eventually lead them to surrender their faith.
Paul issued the warning: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (I Corinthians 15:33). They had been taught the truth, but their good foundation could be weakened by their association with the wrong crowd.
Those with whom we associate will influence us, for good or bad. However, this can be more than just our personal contacts. It can also include the entertainment and social media we consume. All of these can impact our values and beliefs and, over time, lead us to change the direction of our lives.
Be cautious about who you allow to influence you. Our faith in Christ is what will ultimately allow us to be saved. Let us not allow the world to pull us away from this foundation.
Andy Sochor
I know this is about chapter 15, and today we finish reading I Corinthians by reading chapter 16. However, this article addresses a current danger. I took the warning about social media very seriously because I see it influencing so many people’s lives. A current event happens, and there is an ‘explosion’ of posts on the various social media sources. We pick and choose which of these media sources to read, and in so choosing, we narrow the base upon which such media is posted – that which we mostly agree with. We thus miss out on many other insights and nuances of understanding. With such a narrow input, it often causes us to think that ‘everyone thinks this way’. We are simply deluged with all of this social media hype and posts. But the warning here is real: bad company corrupts good morals! Our morals. There is no easy solution for you on this – even the suggestion to just isolate yourself from all social media, but then you wouldn’t be reading this post. Judge righteous judgment. That means taking the time to digest, verify, and protect yourself. Broaden your reading to include ‘the other side.’ Above all, let God’s word be your standard of good morals.
