Saturday Scripture Speaks

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 (NKJV)


I don't think a lot of people would argue with this verse. It's the "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch" idea. We know this and understand it. We know that if we put one angry, bad kid together with a whole lot of good kids, the bad kid will have "converted" at least one of the good kids in a very short time.

My mom used to tell me that if I studied a person's bad traits long enough, I would take on those traits myself. I have watched this happen time and again in friends, family, and even myself. Is this the same concept as the Scripture from 1 Corinthians above? I would say YES.

You can always find someone to criticize, someone who is a whole lot worse than you are. It makes you look pretty good. When you begin to expend a good deal of energy and time looking for all of their bad traits, you'll unknowingly become like that very person of which you said, "I will never be like _______________."

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!  Luke 18:11 (NLT)
What did Jesus say about the Pharisee who said this? "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (NLT) 


I think we become like those we condemn simply because God wants us to be humbled. Maybe it's time we start praying for others rather than spending much time trying to search out their sins, and then broadcast them to the other "righteous people" around us. I want to be humbled before God, not humbled by God. How about you?