1 Corinthians 15:33 (Amplified Bible)

33Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

It is my strong belief that those you associate with impacts tremendously who you become. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that behavior is learned. We see it being evident every day, in our children and even in our own lives. If you should take the time to think about it you will realize, that who you are, has been influenced by those you interact with. By those I mean your father, mother, a sibling, or a close friend.

A gang is formed because those making up the group have something in common. They were possibly left on their own by their parents and have since developed a cold, heartless view on human relationship hence the ploy to get back. So they set out to hurt innocent people to compensate for the pain of rejection they experience.

Insecure people tend to gravitate to other insecure people, again because they have a shared disposition. They cannot function around a confident assertive person because that intimidates them, exposing their deficiency.

To use a practical example, you cannot add poison to your meal and after consuming it expect that it will not have a negative effect on your body. You may be fortunate enough to be saved by medical personnel but the consequence could more than likely be death.

Friends, no one can be blamed for who you become because you can make a choice about who you associate with. You first need to be able to recognize good companion from the not so good ones. That can be an easy task. You can always find the characteristics of the kind of person you need to be around in the bible.

Is the person patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not selfish or self-seeking, not easily angered, does not keep record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, always protects, always hopes, always perseveres? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). That is an excellent guide to knowing who you should allow to be your associate. Remember too that someone may use this very guide to know if they will choose you as their friend.

Application
- When you look at those you associate with can you honestly say they possess qualities you desire for yourself?
- Will you have a positive impact on those you associate with?

Let Us Pray
Abba, help me to choose people of noble character to associate with.