Author: Gary Witcher

Evil Companions

	As we look around us, we get the feeling that things are not getting any better in the world.  But knowing that a problem exists is one thing.  Being willing to put out the effort to do something about it is often something entirely different.
Are you satisfied to complain about the way things are going, or do you want to take control?  No, you can't control what is happening on the other side of the world.  But you CAN have a voice in changing what happens in your own life and in the lives of others around you. Worldwide changes begin as individual changes.
Paul has some timely advice for us in the fifth chapter of his letter to the church at Ephesus.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;” he begins in verse one, "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
"But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
"Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
"And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
"But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
"For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
	"So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord."
What is Paul trying to tell us in this passage?  In plain words, he's saying, "Watch out who you run around with."  When we start talking about evil companions we usually think about someone else, often our children. But do we stop to give thought to the people that WE associate with?
	Why should we not run around with certain people?  First of all, we should not associate with them because it is wrong.  Yes, modern society no longer views things as being "right” or "wrong."  Maybe that’s why society is receiving such a poor rating.  Things ARE either right or wrong, and it is time that we get back into the habit of viewing them this way.
James 1:27 says that pure and undefiled religion involves keeping oneself unstained by the world.  So associating with evil companions is wrong because it is contrary to pure and undefiled religion.
In chapter four, verses five and six of the same book James states that friendship with the world is wrong because it is spiritual adultery and demonstrates hostility toward God.
	Running with the wrong crowd is wrong because it separates us from the love of God.
"Do not love the world, nor the things in the world,” we are admonished in 1 John 2:15-17.  "If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  And the world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God abides forever."
And, according to Romans 8:5-8, setting our minds on the things of the flesh is wrong because it is not pleasing to God.

Not only is associating with evil companions wrong, but it is also foolish.
In Luke 12:16-21 we find the parable of a man who tears down his barns to build bigger barns.
"And I will say to my soul," the man is quoted as saying in verse 19, "'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.'"
Of course, that man dies that very night.  The lesson for us is that seeking worldly pleasure is foolish because it has no true, lasting meaning or value.
It is foolish because it exchanges the truth of God for a lie.
Romans 1:18-32 talks about people who are eager to run after worldly pleasures.
"For even though they knew God," we read in verses 21,22, "they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools."
	In addition, associating with the wrong people is foolish because it enslaves us.
	"For you, being {so} wise, bear with the foolish gladly," Paul chides in 2 Corinthians 11:19,20.  "For you bear with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face."
Paul also discusses this in 2 Corinthians 11:19-20 as well as in the sixth and seventh chapters of Romans.
Not only is this association wrong and foolish, but it is also dangerous.  It is dangerous because they will influence us.
	"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals,'" Paul notes plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:33.  
	"I am amazed," Paul expresses in Galatians 1:6-10, "that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is {really} not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."
	"You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Paul wonders in Galatians 5:7-10.  "This persuasion {did} not {come} from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump {of dough.} I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is."
Associating with the wrong people is dangerous because, together, we will influence others to do wrong.
	Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 against being unequally yoked with the wrong kind of people.  
	"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" this passage instructs. "Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'"
	Titus 2:3-10 also talks about the kind of influence we should have on other people.   
	"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior," this passage teaches, "not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, {to be} sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, {with} purity in doctrine, dignified, sound {in} speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. {Urge} bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect."
We will have the opposite influence if we find ourselves in the middle of the wrong crowd.
	It is dangerous not only because we will have the wrong influence, but also because we will not have the right influence.   We cannot influence people for God while we are serving Satan.
	"You are the light of the world," Jesus points out in Matthew 5:14-16. "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do {men} light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
	"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles," 1 Peter 2:12 admonishes, "so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe {them,} glorify God in the day of visitation."
	"For you have been called for this purpose," Peter adds in verses 21-23, "since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting {Himself} to Him who judges righteously."
	"For the time already past is sufficient {for you} to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles," 1 Peter 4:3,4 continues, "having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. And in {all} this, they are surprised that you do not run with {them} into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign {you}."
So associating with evil companions is wrong, foolish and dangerous.
	Of course, we cannot entirely avoid associating with these people, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 5:9,10.  But we must avoid being placed in circumstances where they influence us, as we noticed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Are we sad to give up these wonderful friends?  Maybe it’s time we see them for what they really are.
	"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,” Solomon recommends in Proverbs 1:8-14, "And do not forsake your mother's teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck.  My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.  If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, even whole, as those who go down to the pit; we shall find all kinds of precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with spoil; throw in your lot with us, we shall have one purse."
"Do not walk in the way with them," is Solomon's admonition.  "They lie in wait for their own blood,” he points out.  Solomon notes in Proverbs 4:16 that these people are "robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. "
"Can a man take fire in his bosom," the wise man asks in Proverbs 6:27, "and not be burned?"
On the positive side of the discussion, we should follow Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to be imitators of him, as he is of Christ. Let's run around with Paul's crowd.
"Whatsoever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things," Paul suggests in Philippians 4:8,9.  "The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things."
Paul has this advice for young people in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
Do you want to be a slave to the wrong people and the wrong kind of activities?  If not, follow the truth, and it will make you free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."