Be Very Careful

Psalms 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33) What kind of company do we keep? This is an area where we need to take extreme care, and exercise godly wisdom; the wisdom and balance that comes from being in God's Word daily, continually seeking intimacy with Jesus, and sensitivity to the Spirit's leading. Why is all this so important? Because we have to balance the company we keep with the fact that we are supposed to be leading the unsaved to Jesus. We may think, "Well, that can't be too difficult." However, it goes beyond that. In verse 113 the psalmist makes reference to vain thoughts or the double minded. When those we associate with are outwardly and obviously opposed to God and the things of God, we can easily see that in their behavior and the things they say. But when people are double minded, their belief wavers from belief in God to belief in false gods. They are just religious enough to seem like they are believers, but go about following every wind of doctrine that comes along. If we too remain babes in our faith, then we too can be swept away by false teachings. Sadly, when we fail to read and study God's Word as we should, we can be deceived by those who are charismatic, and know just enough Bible to be a danger to themselves and us. A person who intentionally twists God's Word for their benefit, and leads others down that path with them is as much an evildoer as one who openly lives a wicked life. We must be Christians who are wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. We must be discerners of the company we keep, without compromising our faith or our call to bring the lost to Jesus. The only way we will accomplish that is to draw nearer to the One who knows the heart of men. So, let us go forth and preach the Gospel to every creature, but let us be very careful of the company we keep while we do this.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).