Have you ever meditated on this from 1 Corinthians 15:33?
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
KJV
If the Word of God is specifically instructing us to NOT be deceived, and it IS, then we should realize that deception is extremely possible in this situation! What situation is this? "Evil communications" sounds like it's referring to speaking bad things, negative things, or using vulgar language. This is NOT what is being addressed here! "Evil" here is the Greek word "kakos", which means: worthless; depraved; injurious; of a bad nature; not as it ought to be; a mode of thinking and acting that is base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive; whatever is evil in character. We all know of people who would fit this description in the way that they think, speak and act! SO, if we are not to have "communications" with these people, who will ever reach them with the Gospel? First, we MUST look more closely at "communications". This is the Greek word "homilia", which means: companionship; intercourse; communion. This verse is telling us that we CANNOT have close companionship and communion with these people! They CANNOT be our close friends or associates! Why? Because close companionship with them will NOT change them, it WILL change YOU! The word here is "corrupt", which is the Greek word "phtheiro". This means: to shrivel, waste, spoil wither, ruin, deprave. "Manners" is your conduct or morals. Look at the Amplified Bible:
33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
We MUST pray for these people and ask that the Lord of the Harvest send laborers into their lives and across their paths. If YOU are to be one of those laborers, understand that it is NOT to get intimate with them, but to share the Truth with them. In fact, ALL of our intimate relationships and close companions should be born again believers! Those who are alive in spirit are not to be unequally yoked with those who are still dead in their sins! We should love them, pray for them, share the Gospel with them, and then leave them in HIS hands! AMEN! He KNOWS how to reach them! In the meantime, let's be DOERS of verse 58, bringing glory to His Name!
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
New Living Translation
AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Nothing Like Your Love":
Shalom in Him!
