How Can We Grow Closer To God in 2025? (Part 3)
Spend More Time With Godly People.
As we come to “Part 3” in our study, we want to examine the importance of being associated with godly people.
If we will add this to our first two points (drawing closer to God by spending more time studying His Word and going to Him more frequently in prayer), we can draw closer to God in 2025.
Scripture’s Teaching on the Company We Keep.
My grandmother used to always warn me, “If you lay down with dogs, you will come up with fleas!” In her wisdom, she was teaching me the importance of being associated with the right kind of people. Heaven’s wisdom reveals this truth as well:
“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33).
The company I choose to keep can either help me get to Heaven or hinder me from ever getting there! If I want to be pure in heart and mind, I need to be around people who are like-minded.
If I am constantly associated with those who use bad language, make crude jokes, and are perpetually negative, it will have a negative effect on my life! If I am associated with godly people who are uplifting, positive, and genuinely care about me, it will have a positive effect on my life.
This concept seems simple, but far too many times reputations are ruined by the company one keeps!
Do Not Be Deceived.
As we further consider Paul’s statement to the brethren at Corinth, we want to notice the contrast to his inspired statement. First, he says, “Do not be deceived.” The word “deceived” means “to be or become misled from a proper belief or course of action.”
If you remember our study a few weeks back about the “Blessed Man” of Psalm One, we touched on the fact that he did not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. He was not associated with them because he was associated with “meditating day and night in the Law of the Lord” (Psa. 1:1-3).
When I am around godly people, I will not be encouraged to go down the wrong path!
The early church grew spiritually and numerically largely in part to the fellowship they enjoyed. They “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, in the breaking of bread, in fellowship, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). They ate their meat with gladness of heart and enjoyed each other’s company (Acts 2:46). The Bible says the brethren were of “one heart and one soul” as they had “all things in common” (Acts 4:32).
The example they set serves as a great pattern for us today.
Avoid Evil Company.
Second, Paul, by inspiration, uses the phrase, “Evil company.”
The Bible explains the danger of having “evil company.” We are instructed to avoid the very appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22) and not have “fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11). The Psalmist declared,
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psa. 34:13-16).
Furthermore, in a very emphatic way, the Psalmist roared,
“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psa. 97:10).
Christians are to hate what God hates and love what God loves. We are to love righteousness but hate wickedness (Psa. 119:104, 128).
The Danger of Evil Company.
Third and finally, Paul points out that evil company “corrupts good habits.” The word “corrupts” is a present, active verb meaning “to corrupt or pervert morally.” This is a continuous action that shapes or molds one’s way of thinking and/or behavior.
Essentially, “evil company” keeps on corrupting and perverting the mind!
The phrase “good habits” implies it is possible to create “bad habits.” We must be wise when creating habits to make sure they are good and sustainable. The word “good” in this text means, “deserving of esteem and respect.”
There are those who will ridicule you for doing what’s right, but over time, they will learn to at least respect where you stand (1 Pet. 2:11; 4:4).
The word “habits” could also be translated as “morals” or “character” (See English Standard Version (ESV) and New International Version (NIV) treatment). Strong says this about the word “habits” as used in our text:
“The inherent complex of habits and attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions.”
Godly habits will help us draw closer to God and what better way to establish godly habits than being around people who are already putting them into practice!
If we want to draw closer to God, we need to draw closer to godly people who will help us in our journey. May we be intentional about our relationships and make sure we are applying wisdom in this very important area.
Next week, we will continue our series by looking to the perfect example of Jesus.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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