Be a sharpener
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 & 34
Have you ever heard the saying “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch”? It’s saying that if you have a basket of good apples and one goes bad, it quickly spreads to all that are closely associated. How about when you were younger, did your mom ever tell you not to hang out with certain friends because she didn’t want you to pick up some of their bad habits?
In today’s reading, Paul gives a similar warning and says that evil associations can weaken and destroy your good habits. Who you connect with actually impacts your habits whether good or bad. Proverbs put a positive spin on this saying. It says: Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (see Proverbs 27:17) It gives us the impression of one person’s habits rubbing off onto another, but in this scripture it is a good thing.
Here is the lesson to learn from that. If you want to improve your life, look for someone who is living successfully in the areas of life that you want to be successful in and then go hang out with them. Maybe that isn’t possible if the person is a high-profile individual or an admired prominent figure, but people like that may have books or podcasts you can learn from or even by studying them from a distance. The idea is to become better at doing life by learning and imitating those who have already been through experiences that you are currently going through or even getting into things you don’t want to go through.
Next, wake up to what is right and quit doing what is wrong. These are not commandments to attain salvation through, these are helps to empower you to live life as a believer and overcomer. They will empower you to be more productive for God’s kingdom and to enjoy the life that He has blessed you with. Take it from someone who has lived life the wrong way and God’s way, God’s way is so much better!!!!!!!! He knows everything you need and He has made every provision for you. You don’t have to figure things out for yourself, He has a plan and a way to bring you through this life to live it to the fullest joy. Many people receive salvation, and then they try to drag God down to help them continue on the path they were on before receiving salvation. God has a better road for you to travel, so take a step up to get on His plan. Trust me, His way is not any harder than doing it your own way, in fact, it is way easier! There is no worry, no anxiety, no fear, no struggling, only trusting and following with His peace. The only laboring is to enter His rest, while He brings the resolution to every predicament. Trust Him to lead and follow what He says. He will keep you from falling into the pit of life every time you listen and follow.
Today I want to encourage you to step away from evil companions and wake up to God’s way of living right. Put sinful habits far from your life and press into the love and relationship of your heavenly Father through His provision in Christ Jesus. You don’t have to look for someone famous or rich to imitate, you can look to the Word of God and find all the instruction you need to make the most out of your life. Start by surrendering all to Him and then start following His way and leave your wicked ways in the dust!
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34
29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?
30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?
31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
The Daily Dose 