1 Corinthians 15:33: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Genuine people are getting more and more rare. True friends are becoming scarce. I was talking with a sister the other day and she told me how her own junior sister is blackmailing her name. Stories like this, we hear them everyday. The Bible says that a man will have as enemies people of his own household. Ave you been a victim? Oh, I am sure at least once.
Yet, beloved, we do need friends, don’t we? We need to intentionally create good associations, good relationships.

There are three categories of friends you may have right now.

(1) There is a friend who stick closer than a brother (Pr 18:24b).

He is there when you need him. He refreshes you. He does not blackmail you. Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. You know your true friends when you are in adversity. That is the type of friendship to fight for.

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(2) There is also a friend who needs your help.

Do not only keep friendship because of what you gain, but also because of what you can give. Be there when your friend needs you. Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly”.

(3) There are friends to get rid of.

These are friends who have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they cannot be helped. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived, Bad company, (bad associations) will corrupt your good character, destroy your good habits. You may be in bitterness today because of a bad friend. You may have lost the joy and taste of life because of a bad association.

How do you know evil companies?

• Each time you are with them, they lead you to do wrong things.

• They do not uphold godly values.

• Each time, they make you feel bad, frustrated, bitter.
• Each time they hurt you; speak against you; they plot evil against you.
• They always and only want to take from you. They never think of how to help you or support you.
  Do not call them friends. They are bad companies.
  David had one like that. Psalms 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. Such friends are more dangerous than outsiders. They come closer to dig your back. You have prayed for them. You have forgiven them and tried to help them change and they have proven not to change. Get rid of such friends. Delete their number from your phone. Close your doors before them. Apostle Paul says, “Do not be deceived.” You cannot change them. Leave them to God. If you keep bad companies, they will corrupt you; destroy you, bring you to ruin.
  You better be wise.

Read Also: Don’t put your complete trust in man

Prayer: O Lord preserve me from the schemes of bad friends. Give me the courage and wisdom to stay away from them. Amen!