Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
1 Corinthians 15:33 AMPC
What kind of ‘ships’ are you in? Are they helping you grow or dragging you down? The Bible warns us: “How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war.” (2 Corinthians 6:14 MSG). So, whether it is friendship, partnership, or fellowship, if it is with those who reject God, then it is an evil companionship and it will corrupt your good character.
The Israelites learned this lesson the hard way. They complained about God’s provision and longed for the food they ate in Egypt. They said: “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:5-6 NIV)
But was this true? Did they really eat free food in Egypt? Let’s look at what their experience was like in the land of slavery.
That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”
Exodus 5:6-9 NIV
In the light of the passage above, the whining about the sumptuous meal in Egypt is most likely that of the misfits. The Israelites had to work day and night to meet their daily quota of bricks. They had no freedom or joy in their slavery. Even if they had enough good food, in comparison to their hard labour, that was an excessive payment for whatever they got without money. When God sent Moses to deliver them, He described their situation as suffering: “The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.'” (Exodus 3:7 NIV)
So, their grumbling and discontentment were influenced by the misfits among them, who had greedy desires and did not appreciate God’s grace. This shows that it is impossible to have a healthy companionship with those who are opposed to God. You will end up in conflict and compromise.
Unfortunately, the Israelites paid a high price for their evil companionship. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years, instead of entering the promised land in forty days. They faced God’s judgement and missed His blessing.
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 13:20 NLT
Evil companionship is a serious threat to our spiritual growth and well-being. It can lead us to sin, rebellion, and dissatisfaction. It can rob us of God’s best for our lives. Therefore, we should be careful about who we associate with and what influences we allow in our lives. We should seek godly companions who can encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow in our faith. We should also be a godly companion to others, showing them the love and truth of God. By doing so, we will honour God and enjoy His presence and peace.
