Bad Company Corrupts Good Character (Devotional)

In this devotional, Cisco Terrazas challenges us to examine the influence of the people around us and how it shapes our identity.

“Bad company corrupts good character.” That’s more than just a saying, it’s a spiritual truth.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, we see how the Apostle Paul engaged with different people to share the gospel without compromising who he was in Christ. He built trust, met people where they were, but never allowed their lifestyle to define him.

This message speaks directly to:

•  the influence of friendships and environments 
•  the tension between reaching others and staying rooted in Christ 
•  the importance of knowing your identity in Jesus 

Before coming to Christ, many of us were shaped by the people around us. But now, our identity is found in Him.

The question is:
 Are you influencing others… or being influenced?

If this devotional encouraged you:

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•  Support the mission at fromwrongtostrong.org

Transcript

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Speaker 0:15

Hello, brothers and sisters. This is Cisco Terrazas coming to you for another From Wrong to Strong devotional. Have you ever heard of the saying, "Bad company corrupts good character?" Just like the more familiar saying, "Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are." It's easy to surround yourself with those that make you feel valid, comfortable, and give you enough acknowledgement to feel like you're part of the group. This becomes one's identity, and most don't wanna let go of it. I know this because I used to be one of those people. Now, my identity is in Christ and Christ alone, and I thank God for that every day. In one Corinthians nine, nineteen to twenty-three, we see Paul speaking of where he places himself in order to share the gospel with the people who don't know Jesus. As it says, starting in verse nineteen, Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible. To the Jews, I became like a Jew to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like the one under the law, though I myself am not under the law, so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law, I became like the one not having the law, though I am not free from God's law, but I am under Christ's law, so as to win those not having the law. To the weak, I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means, I may save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings." Let's make sure we understand what Paul is doing here. Yes, he's hanging out with people that may not be as Christ-like as one would hope, but he is not becoming like them. He's not picking up their daily habits or adding to them. He doesn't define himself as being part of the group, but just adding himself in order for him to try to blend in with the crowd. What Paul is doing is building trust with those that are not saved through Jesus, those who have not repented, turned away to sin, and have been baptized under the name of Jesus. In other words, Paul's being gentle with the people he meets and speaks to because he wants to warm them up when he speaks of the gospel to them directly.

Speaker 2 2:20

One must see it in this manner. Let's say an example of an angry adult. Do you think it is simple to speak to someone while they're angry? Not at all, in my opinion. You'd have to help settle the person down before trying to get your word across to them. Now imagine groups of people living in constant sin and not knowing Jesus. Would you think they would accept the gospel outright if that is the first thing Paul talks to them before meeting them? I highly doubt it. I too, before coming to Jesus, as I was living in my constant sinful life, was stubborn not wanting to listen to anything about Jesus and giving good-hearted Christians the cold shoulder as they tried speaking to me about him. That is my hard truth. Paul is trotting lightly, but most important, walking firm on his faith in Jesus and making sure he got the message out to hopefully save some from the darkness. This is one of many tests as Christians that we're able to do to be able to share the gospel. Indeed, the test Paul is undertaking is among the more dangerous callings, especially for one who does not have Jesus Christ firmly rooted in their heart and who does not fully understand, through the Holy Spirit, the weight and the purpose of the mission that they're about to embrace. Remember what I said initially, bad company corrupts good character. This is very true if one is not firm on their walk with Jesus. Like I've said in the past, God has given us a plethora of gifts to do his will. As it says in Romans 12, 6, we have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. Speak to God and ask him what he's calling you to do and to take on. I am Cisco Terrazas and I am from Wrong to Strong.