Anyone who thinks the Bible is an old dusty book with little current application has only to read the book of Proverbs to see how practical and relevant it is.
Today’s verse has to do with the influence of people Paul called “bad company” in our lives. Bad company might include friends, advisers, co-workers, business partners, spouses, and other influencers. They are people whose favor we desire or with whom we spend time. They can also be people we follow or listen to on social or other media.
Today’s Readings:
Ezekiel 39 & 40
Psalm 132.10-18
Proverbs 29.5
James 5.1-20
Who Are Your Influencers?
Proverbs 29.5:
Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
1 Corinthians tells us “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15.33). That is true in our personal lives, in the business world, and even in the world of politics, as this verse points out.
In the World but Not of It
Jesus said we’re in the world, but not to be of the world (Jn. 17.14-20). In fact, God’s plan is for us to be light to those around us (Matt. 5.14-16; Phil. 2.15).
To do that we must be wise about our choice of friends, associates, and influencers.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6.14).
We can’t always choose our co-workers, but we can be wise about how much time we spend with them during breaks and after work. We can be careful not to listen to gossip and complaining or take advice from those who are ungodly (Ps. 1.1-3).
If bad company corrupts good morals, then when we’re single, we should be careful who we date. We should date other believers who are committed to growing in Christ.
And if we’re already married to an unbeliever, especially if the marriage is difficult, bad company can be especially dangerous. We need godly people in our lives who can encourage us to continue to do what’s right even when our spouse does not.
Note: If you are in an abusive relationship, doing right does not mean ignoring the abuse. I would encourage you to go to a pastor or godly counselor as soon as possible. If you are in any danger remember police and other civil authorities are part of God’s provision in our lives.
Friends & Counselors
We should, also, choose our friends and counselors wisely. By counselors I mean anyone we go to for advice.
It’s not that we should never spend time with unbelievers, but our closest friends should be those who love God and will speak truth into our lives, not tell us what we want to hear or give us the world’s wisdom.
When we need counsel we should talk to people who will advise us from God’s Word and help us follow His principles (Ps. 1.1-3). There are many voices out there and sometimes worldly wisdom can sound so logical. And sometimes the pressure to go along with what others say can be great. But if it doesn’t square with God’s Word, we need to reject it and seek to live in ways that please Him.
Fear God Not Man
Another way to say it is we need to fear God and not man. The fear of man is concern over what people think or what people will say about or do to us. Proverbs says that the fear of man brings a snare (Prov. 29.25). Worrying about what others think or what they can do for us can lead to compromise, even sin.
4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Lk. 12.4-5).
God has given us everything we need to conduct ourselves in godly ways, to make wise decisions, and to resist anything that would cause us to compromise our own values or look the other way when others do wrong.
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Pet. 1.3-4).
May others say about us, not that we are critical and mean-spirited, but that we balance grace and truth and have the courage to stand up for what’s right in a world that may or may not appreciate it.
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you (2 Cor. 1.12).
Praying for Our Leaders
And let’s pray that our president, politicians, business, and other leaders would surround themselves with godly counselors and have the courage to do what’s right, rather than surrounding themselves with ungodly people who will encourage them to do what is politically expedient (1 Tim. 2.1-4) or financially beneficial (Jas. 5.1-6).
Today’s Other Readings:
Ezekiel 39 & 40:
Our Exact God
As I read chapter 40 with all the measurements, the numbers of steps, the beveled windows, etc., I couldn’t help but remember that our God is a God of precision and order. He will fulfill every word He has spoken and keep every promise exactly as He intends!
James 5.1-20:
When You’re Sick Turn God-Ward
James asks the question:
14 Is anyone among you sick?
He goes on:
Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The first thing we should do when we’re sick is to pray and, when necessary, ask for prayer from others. James is not speaking against modern medicine. In fact, the anointing with oil may have referred to the medical help of James’ day, but our first response should be God-ward.
And just as we pray and ask God’s blessing on our food, we can do the same when seeking medical help. I often ask God to guide the doctor’s hands, to use the medicine for good, and to give the doctors and technicians wisdom beyond their own abilities.
Weak & Discouraged
The sickness talked about here might also be heart sickness, those times when we feel weak and discouraged. This could be because of trials, persecution, or some other discouragement. In those times, we should turn to our spiritual leaders so they can pray for and encourage us.
Confess Our Sins
Verse 16 instructs us to confess our sins to one another. Not all sickness is caused by sin, but sin can cause sickness. We should be constantly examining ourselves and confessing our sins to God and one another. Perhaps when praying for someone who is sick, we should ask, “Is there anything you would like to get off your heart that I can pray about?” But we need to be careful not to assume that all sickness is the result of sin.
And when it comes to tests, trials, and discouragement, there can be a great temptation to sin in response. If that’s the case, we should repent and recommit to responding God’s way (1 Cor. 10.13; Rom. 12.17-21).
Psalm 132.10-18:
The Real Meaning of Thanksgiving
He will clothe His priests with salvation … and His saints will shout for joy! That’s us! What a great and awesome God we serve and what a great salvation He has provided. We should be thankful for all He has done. From the beginning, it was always about Him. We tend to forget that in our secular society.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember to thank the One who is the giver of all of our blessings! And as the psalmist said, let’s shout for joy!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1.17).
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about how to respond to an unreasonable spouse and those times when we’re struggling to trust God. We’ll also discuss the questions, “Is the Bible enough in a complex world?” and ask ourselves, “Are we ‘profiting’ from our reading and study of the Bible?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our new sister site Joyful Marriage Ministries. While you’re there, click the “events” tab for information on our upcoming events and ministries, like our Marriage ICU© for couples who are experiencing problems that require one-on-one help.
If this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback. The paperback book has 31 days of blank journaling pages and prompts to help you get started.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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