Sunday Sermons
Evil Companionships
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’”
(1 Corinthians 15:33)
Christians cannot escape from this world, and must continue to interact with unbelievers (5:10), and yet the Holy Spirit still warns, “Do not be deceived”. This sober warning reminds us that while we must often work and associate with unbelievers, we dare not think this interaction to be completely safe; it is fraught with danger, so be on the alert. There are many other verses that echo the same warning for God’s people:
-
“I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders” (Psalm 26:4)
-
“But they mingled with the nations, and learned their practices” (Psalm 106:35)
-
“But the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20)
-
“Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge” (Proverbs 14:7)
-
“A man of many friends comes to ruin” (Proverbs 18:24). The warning here is against being careless and indiscriminate in our friendships.
-
“Do not associate with a gossip” (Proverbs 20:19)
-
“Do not associate with a man given to anger” (Proverbs 22:24)
-
“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
On the surface it might seem there is a contradiction on this matter, for on the one hand we are told to reach out to the world and interact with the lost and on the other hand we are told to avoid sinners. Clarification becomes apparent when we see various kinds of sinners whom Jesus encountered during His life on earth.
-
Sinners Interested in The Truth
“Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him” (Luke 15:1). Examples of other individuals that would fit in this category during Jesus’ life would be Zaccheus (Luke 19:4-8), and the sinful woman who anointed Jesus (Luke 7:36ff). These are the sinners who really need us. One mistake we make at times is to spend our lives concentrating on a couple of worldly people who keep putting us off, instead of constantly moving through the sinners of the world looking for those who want to change.
-
Sinners Who Are Not Interested in The Truth
“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:14); “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not know your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under your feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). “What has a believer in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:15). The more time we spend with the stubborn unbeliever, the less time we will have to seek out the tender hearted.
Practical Observations
-
The Wicked Are Easy to Know
It may seem sometimes that the wicked are friendlier than believers, that they are more comfortable to be around, or that they seem to be more compassionate or loving, yet do not be deceived. Such a relationship may seem more relaxed, yet it’s because with the wicked there is no accountability. Everything will be cool and smooth until you seek to exert your influence as a Christian, and specifically when you question their values or behavior, “He will despise the wisdom of your words” (Proverbs 23:9). Of course the wicked will often seem more charismatic or fun - Satan is all about marketing.
-
There Is A Huge Difference Between Real Friendship And Mere Association
Lot might have thought that he had some influence among the inhabitants of Sodom, after all he had lived among them for some time (Genesis 13:12), yet in the end he found that he had absolutely no influence (Genesis 19:9). When influence does not flow in the right direction, it will flow the wrong direction. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that once you have stated your position, that you then have a free pass to form a close association with the enemies of God. We should so have our love for God and His wisdom on our minds, words, and actions, that the relentless sinner does not find our companionship comfortable.
-
There Are Different Types of Sinners: The Prosperous Sinner
There are unbelievers who are prosperous and who might seem to have an easier life than we do: “For there are no pains in their death; and their body is fat, they are not in trouble as other men; nor are they plagued like mankind…Therefore pride is their necklace…Behold, these are the wicked; and always at ease” (Psalm 73:3-5, 6,12). The wicked can look very together, it may seem like their lives, their marriages and relationships are running far more smoothly than ours, and yet do not be deceived. They are blessed in spite of the way they are living. Seeing that this world is God’s world and filled with His blessings one can live apart from Him here and still maintain a level of happiness, yet this will come to a sudden end for them, “How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! Like a dream when one awakes” (Psalm 73:18-20). I feel sorry most for this type of unbeliever, for the illusion that one does not need God, or does not need Him that much, is so strong. Everything they touch seems to work, their decisions seem to pay off, and most people in this life would call them the “haves” and the “winners”, and yet they are only one breath away from an eternal nightmare. This earth will be for them the only “heaven” they will experience. Better to have a godly poor friend, than a rich ungodly friend.
-
The Talented Sinner
We should not be shocked when we run into believers who have more physical blessings that we do and neither should we be surprised when we encounter sinners who are far more talented or gifted that we are. Cain’s family line was very talented and very ungodly (Genesis 4:18-25). So yes, they may be better cooks, gardeners, interior designers, craftsmen, mechanics, businessmen, farmers and so on, yet do not be deceived, this does not mean that they are on the right path. Be careful who you admire.
-
The Hard Luck Case
“But the way of the treacherous is hard” (Proverbs 13:15); “The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns” (Proverbs 15:19); “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse” (Proverbs 22:5). Laziness will naturally produce many obstacles that could have been avoided. Just look at the daily struggle that plagues the vagrant or runaway, or at all the effort that must be put forth by a person who is trying to live off the system. “Like thorns, their conduct keeps them from getting ahead, and like snares they are stopped like a trapped animal” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 952).
What Is Really Beneath The Surface
It is tempting to think something like, “Yes, I know this person is rebelling against God, but they are rebelling in only one area”. May I suggest that if one is rebelling in one area, they are typically rebelling in others (see Romans 1:29-32). For example, Judas was a thief (John 12:6) and covetous, yet this sinful behavior did not remain isolated in just one aspect of his life. Without any genuine repentance, the universal tendency among men is to grow progressively worse: “Which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit” (Ephesians 4:22); “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). And where there is one sinful behavior or attitude, there are others, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:17). Such a friend we take us along with them on this road from bad to worse, if we let them. Yet Satan will make sure the steps are small enough that you are less likely to notice.
How Do I Know When I Am Having An Influence?
-
Listen to Their Words
“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind” (Proverbs 18:2). We are having an influence if they are asking us sincere questions about the faith and are willing to listen. We are probably not having much of an influence if they insist on monopolizing the conversation and sharing all their opinions. We are having an influence if they alter their behavior or words while in our presence, or if they defend us when others ridicule us.
-
Look at The Behavior
“You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16); “Performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20). We are having an influence if we start seeing changes in how they dress or live. Remember, behavior says it all. If they continue to remain unchanged even after hearing the truth, then they are only hardening their heart further. Believe it or not, the wicked often like to have Christian friends and now and then enjoy a sermon, yet be aware when you are being strung along or used, “You are to them like a sensual song…for they hear your words, but they do not practice them” (Ezekiel 34:32).
