Session 32

You are who you hang around

From 1 Corinthians: A 35-Day Devotional

“You are known by the company you keep.”

How many times have we heard that old saying? As a teenager, that might have sounded silly, but it only takes a moment to realize how true it is.

Maybe that realization comes after getting arrested for being at a party with underage drinking, even though we didn’t have a drink. Maybe it comes when we find ourselves the subject of the gossip among the friends we usually gossip with. Or maybe the truth of that statement hits us hard when we are passed over for a promotion because our coworkers’ negative attitude influenced us to stop caring and trying at work.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God — I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

Community is a choice. We choose to invest in friendships that are beneficial and help us to be better followers of Jesus. Or, we can choose to invest in the friendships that would take us farther away from Jesus.

One of the best investments you can make is in friendships that encourage you to be more like Jesus.

The Lord has given us a great opportunity in the local church to create deep, meaningful, helpful friendships. We all need deep friendships where we share life struggles, we encourage, we speak the truth in love and we share our disappointments and victories.     

What kind of person do you want to be? Are you surrounding yourself with the friendships that could help you become that person? One of the best investments you can make is in friendships that encourage you to be more like Jesus.

Reflect:

• Are there any friendships that you need to invest more in?
• Are there any friendships that you need to invest less in?
• What is one step you can take today to be more like Jesus in your friendships?