"I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate (closely and habitually)
with unchaste (impure) people." (1 Corinthians 5:9, Amp)
The company you keep has such an influence on your spiritual life. Fellowshiping with godly
people will help speed you on to victory, while fellowshiping with those who are
ungodly will drag you down to defeat.
That's why the Bible has some things to say about your friends. That's why it tells you
to separate yourself from the world. Because evil companions will corrupt you.
Now, I'm not talking about ministry. Jesus Himself ministered to sinners.
You have to mix with them to preach to them and pray for them.
What I'm talking about here are the people you choose for friends.
If you want to walk in the things of the Lord, don't choose friends who walk
in the things of the devil, people who talk and act ungodly, who don't give God any place in their lives.
They'll pull you down. As you rub shoulders with them, you'll expose
yourself to temptation. You'll get so familiar with sin it will start to appear less repulsive to you.
Sooner or later, you'll fall into it.
So choose your friends wisely. Fellowship with those who call on the Name of the Lord
out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22). Expose yourself to
their love and peace. Let their faith rub off on you!
From Jacqueline SOUISA