The bad apple

1 Corinthians 15:33

Doesn’t ring a bell? The bible translation in the New International Version (NIV) states this:
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

So even in the early times, someone’s mother was warning their children to stay away from the kid who was a bad influence? Yes, looks that way. So even in the early times, the apostle Paul wanted people to be aware that befriending someone who was considered “bad” was dangerous to our own integrity and “good” character.  OK, so what’s bad? And am I judgemental if I consider someone a bad influence in my life?
I struggled with this one for years. I had one foot in the church door and one foot firmly planted in bad relationships. My reasoning was that the relationships spanned decades of my life and I didn’t really have a right to eliminate the negative influences because longevity must count for something, right??  Not only is it my right to discern between what is good for my character and what is bad for my character, it’s biblical.  My argument held virtually no water… even to me.
Today, I am reminded of my struggle and I am aware of how easy it is for me to slip backwards. I am fully aware because the lessons I learned were tough and came at a high price~ and I don’t want God to have to re-teach me something already covered. But with this realization for myself comes with a heightened awareness of what “bad” company and “bad” habits can do to the people around me.
I am not the only ne who succumbs to bad habits easily.
We are all vulnerable to the one bad apple syndrome…the one bad habit…the one addiction….

I’m not judging. I am protecting.

Be blessed,
Amy