How To Avoid Bad Company
1 Corinthians 15:33
There’s a common quote that says we are the sum of the 5 people we spend the most time with, and I believe that’s a valid statement. The influence of those 5 people may be subtle, but I think it’s important to have a full awareness of their core beliefs.
It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to know for 100% who we can really trust. Even long-term friends can turn out to be untrustworthy, especially if they reflect questionable morals.
In the 1950s, even teenagers kept their distance from bad crowds, because they were taught by their parents that mere association would ruin their overall reputation. How times have changed! In today’s world, we need discernment, plus the conviction to steer clear of the people who practice poor judgment or who don’t have our best interests at heart.
If a friend is always trying to get you to do something you know is wrong, it’s important to learn how to give a firm “no” or take a step back to avoid precarious situations. True friends respect your principles, and would never dream of pushing you to do something you don’t feel comfortable about.
Reading the Bible is extremely important because it tells us what God expects from us in our behavior, and it gives us the standards by which we must live. If He sees a heart that genuinely wants to know Him, He will give that heart the gift of the Holy Spirit who is the absolute best at helping us discern who and what isn’t right for us.
So who is a good friend? Someone:
who shows respect for beliefs, ideas, feelings.
whose contact is welcomed, not dreaded.
who truly listens and keeps a confidence, and doesn’t gossip.
who is honest.
who is uplifting and leaves you feeling better than they found you.
who practices good morals.
who understands the value of give and take, and exhibits generosity as opposed to selfishness.
who is genuinely happy when you’re happy and who comforts when you’re sad or stressed.
who is available when you need help.
who encourages you AND stays by your side when you do the hard things.
whose love you never have to question.
who knows how to apologize and genuinely mean it.
who hangs around other people with good morals.
who is humble, not prideful.
who wants to see you succeed, and celebrates your successes.
who tells you what you NEED to hear, not what you WANT to hear.
who is godly, and keeps you on the narrow path.
Do you have anything to add to this list? If so, please do so in the comments.
God bless! ✝️🤍🙏
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So true! Excellent post my love!! :)