The Company We Keep

by Stephanie Gaines

Verse for Thought:
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. I Cor. 15:33-34 (NIV)

Being a Christian in high school or college can have its challenges. In high school, our Christianity may take a backseat to popularity. Even at a Christian college, busy schedules can overshadow spiritual commitments. Confident in our faith and determined to do even more for Christ, we immediately connect with a church home, hoping to maintain our passion. We start out with good intentions, but pretty soon we become faithful members of Bedside Baptist (a.k.a. sleeping in on Sundays with Pastor Pillow and Reverend Comforter; Jlet the church say Amen!) and we substitute watching a sermon on television and listening to a few gospel songs for attending services. I, myself have fallen victim to such behavior and I know what you’re thinking. How can I break this cycle that’s so easy to slip into? I’m glad you asked. Put on some comfy walking shoes and journey with me down the path of the company we keep. I’m sure many of us can think of a close friend or group of friends that we tend to gravitate to. These friends tend to relate to us and are often there during darkest times. That said, we could all agree that these same friends can also have a negative influence on our actions. It’s so important to surround ourselves with others who will not only push us to remain steadfast in our walk with God, but also be there to encourage and lift us up during our moments of weakness. It’s always great to have a plethora of friends with different personalities, but I want to challenge you to examine the company you keep. Are they building you up or pulling you down?

Let’s Pray:
God, thank you for friends that you have placed in my life and for the chance we have to influence each other. I pray that we would have a godly influence on each other. Give me wisdom to know how to deal with difficult friendships and to know which friends I need to separate myself from.

Take The Next Step:
Take some time to evaluate the friendships you have. Ask yourself if you are being influenced in a positive or negative way. If you are being influenced in a negative way, take some time to rebuild and regroup your morals and values. Think of ways you can influence these friends more and create a healthier friendship.