"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company” (George Washington). This good advice has a biblical ring to it, doesn’t it? Actually, the Scriptures often counsel us to choose our associations carefully. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). “A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good” (Proverbs 16:29). “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself” (Proverbs 22:24-25). Other verses could be cited but these few make the point crystal clear: Choose your companions carefully!
So…we should all retreat within the walls of our secluded monasteries to avoid contamination by the world, right? We should only associate with God-fearing, Bible-believing, sin-avoiding people like us, right? Wrong! A quick survey of the words and actions of Jesus dispel any thoughts of isolationism. He was known to associate with the “wrong” crowds. He was characterized as “a friend of…sinners” (Matthew 11:19). When the religious folk confronted Him about His “questionable” associations, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
Is God calling us to contradictory purposes? No. Is it possible to balance God’s call to avoid bad company with God’s call to reach out to sinners? Yes. The key is in the results of the relationships. If we are able to be salt and light in a dark world without damage to our faith and witness, then praise God for the outreach. But when the darkness starts to overwhelm us and we begin to adopt the sinful practices of those we seek to influence, then it becomes time to limit the association.
God loves you!
Mike
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