In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul quotes the poet Menander: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 

The ESV translation says: “Bad company ruins good morals.” The NKJV puts it like this: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” You get the point.

How are Christians to understand this?

In Paul’s letter he is, in part, issuing a warning. If the Corinthians associate with people who are constantly promoting false ideas this will negatively impact them. We are sponges. Surround yourself with people who promote false teaching and sooner or later you will absorb their thinking into your own. Alternatively, surround yourself with people who promote biblical teaching and sooner or later you will absorb their thinking into your own as well.

However, a tension exists. Even though we are to be aware that bad company corrupts good character, we are not to isolate ourselves from everyone who doesn’t share our same beliefs. We have friends, coworkers, schoolmates, and family members who don’t necessarily share our beliefs. Plus, we live in a world where there are many different backgrounds and perspectives. We are called to help the hurting and shine Jesus’ light—not just to the few, but to the many.

So, what’s to be done?

We need to proactively associate with other followers of Christ. We need to support and encourage. And we need to humbly and loving hold one another accountable to our shared standard of belief and conduct: the Bible. 

At the same time, there are other people who are in our lives who are not followers of Christ. We may really like them, even love them. But they should never come before Jesus, and we should always be on guard against unbiblical ideas.

When you are with people, it helps for you to picture yourself as a literal sponge.

If bad company corrupts good character, surely the opposite is also true: good company promotes good character!

Let’s be careful, not careless. We are sponges. Soak well.

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Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.