In The World, Not Of It

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Bad-Influence#sthash.EeC9mfAX.dpuf

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Bad-Influence#sthash.EeC9mfAX.d"D

"Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals." - 1 Corinthians 15:33

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We purchased this 1820's home in August, when it was hot, sunny, and humid. At the time, I didn't think much about cracks, drafty spots, or attic insulation. But as the weather has grown colder, I've realized how important these things are, and how quickly the weather outside changes and if you aren't prepared, it will seep right in!

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This old house is a lot like our bodies, the shell that covers our soul. If we don't protect ourselves from the outside world, and poor influences, just like the cold air seeping through a crack in a wall, bad habits, foul language, and inappropriate thinking will seep into our soul, and damage us.

The Bible tells us to protect ourselves from worldly influence, because it will ultimately lead to our "destruction" if we aren't careful.
(Psalm 1:6)

We are called to walk a thin line between living "in" the world, reaching those around us, and refusing to be "of" the world, letting our mind and hearts be corrupt by sinful influences.

Because we are called to love those around us, we can't be separated from them, we have to keep reaching out, but we have to do so wisely. We need to make good choices on where we "meet" the world.

I've heard many spiritually immature Christians tell me that it's OK for them to go to a bar, or go to a bad movie, or listen to foul music because they know Jesus, they know the truth, and those things don't effect them.

Oh, friend, don't be so naive.

Every craving for alcohol, every R-rated image, every dirty lyric, are stored up in your brain and heart, and slowly and quietly over time, will etch themselves into your soul, corrupting you.

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You might be saying, "Whoa, now, Michelle, you're taking this a little far! It's just one little drink." But that's the problem, alcohol is addictive, the feeling it gives you is addictive, the attention you get while "free" is addictive, it's never just one little anything. It's the beginning of your downfall. It's the beginning of your separation from God.

These aren't my words, they're Gods. Remember our verse today?  "Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals." - 1 Corinthians 15:33 

God is warning us, because He knows how quickly we'll fall, He knows how big the temptations are in this world, and He wants to protect us. He doesn't want us to be naive, to think that we're bigger and stronger than sin, the flesh, or the devil.

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So what do we do? How do we love the world, but keep ourselves from it?

We protect ourselves. We go around our "house" and seal up all of the cracks where junk can get in. We remove the temptations, we block out the "bad weather" from our walls, and we put on the armor of God. We put on our protection.

 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6: 11-13

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A salesman from an insulation company is coming to our home this afternoon. He's going to walk through our house and show us all the ways we need to improve it to better protect ourselves from the world outside. 

Today would be a good day to do the same thing with our hearts. Examine the places in your life where you may be letting in the wrong influences, where you may be opening yourself up for destruction.

Take this seriously today, and ask God to help you. He always will.