Watch Your Associations in These Days

"BAD ASSOCIATIONS SPOIL USEFUL HABITS" 

The Scriptures counsel those who want to do God's will not to love this world and its practices.   (Read 1 John 2:15, 16.) The religious, political, and commercial elements of this world-including their information channels-are under the influence of  "the god of this system of things," Satan the Devil.. (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19)  As Christians, therefore, we need to watch our associations.  God's inspired Word declares this fundamental truth:  "Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits." -1 Corinthians 15:33.

To avoid spoiling our useful habits, we must not have as close associates those who practice vile things.  This applies not only to associating with unbelieving wrongdoers but also to associating with those who claim to worship Jehovah but who deliberately violate his laws. If such professing Christians engage in serious wrong doing and do not repent, we do not continue to associate with them. -Romans 16:17, 18). 

If we were to associate with those who do not obey God's laws, we might have the tendency to do what they do in order to be accepted by them. For example, if we were to have close association with sexually immoral people, we might be tempted to practice immorality. That has happened to some dedicated Christians, and some of them were disfellowshipped because they were not repentant.  (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Unless they repent, their condition can become like that described by Peter. -Read 2 Peter 2:20-22. 

Although we want to be kind even to those who do not follow God's laws, we should not become their associates or close friends. It would therefore be wrong for one of Jehovah's Witnesses who is a single person  to date such an individual who is not dedicated and faithful to God and who does not respect his high standards.  Maintaining Christian integrity is far more important than becoming popular  with people who do not live by Jehovah's laws.  Our close associates should be those who do God's will. Jesus said:  "Whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother." - Mark 3;35.

The disastrous result of bad associations were experience by the Israelites. When Jehovah rescued them from Egyptian slavery and was leading them to the  Promised Land, he said this about their dealings with its inhabitants: "You must not bow down  to their gods or be persuaded to serve them, and you  must not imitate their practices.  Instead, you must demolish them and smash their sacred pillars.  You must serve  Jehovah  your God." (Exodus 33:24, 25) Ultimately, most of the Israelites did not obey God's instructions.  (Psalm 106:35-39) Because they became unfaithful to God, Jesus told them:  "Look! Your House is abandoned to you." (Matthew 23:38) Jehovah cast off Israel, transferring his blessing to the newly formed Christian congregation. -Acts 2:1-4. 

Next time: Watch Your Associations in These Days - CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHAT YOU READ AND WATCH

From the Watchtower magazine