Through the Word of God we’re trained and cultured with good manners and godly behaviour, but some people can corrupt your good character through their unwholesome and perverse communication. Evil communication corrupts good manners. Any communication that negates, rejects or challenges the authority of God’s Word is an evil communication. Therefore, beware of such.
The Bible says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20). Psalm 1:1 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." The wrong company can influence you to do the wrong things.
For instance, the Bible says, "Show respect to the aged; honour the presence of an elder…" (Leviticus 19:32 MSG). Ephesians 6:2 says, "Honour your father and mother." Imagine that you have a friend who says you don’t have to do it. That’ll be an ungodly counsel. The Word says, "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But your friend says, "Must you pray all the time?" The Word tells you to not neglect church meetings, but your friend says otherwise. Don’t follow his ungodly counsel, but do the Word always.
In 1 Corinthians 5:11 GNB, the Bible says, "…you should not associate with a person who calls himself a believer but is immoral or greedy or worships idols or is a slanderer or a drunkard or a thief. Don’t even sit down to eat with such a person." It parallels the Spirit’s admonition in Philippians 3:2, to beware of dogs, evil workers, and manipulators. It’s a stern warning from the Lord. When you see an inscription on someone’s gate that reads, "Beware of dogs," they’re warning you of the dogs inside; not the ones outside.
Also, when it says beware of "evil workers," the Greek rendering actually means "mischief makers"; mischievous people. The Bible wouldn’t warn you of such people if they weren’t dangerous. Therefore, if someone, whom you may even respect, tells you something you know isn’t consistent with the Word, you shouldn’t accept it. Be guided by the Word in all you do, and your life will glorify God.
Prayer
Dear Father, I walk in the prearranged paths which you made ready for me before the foundations of the world. I’m guided by your Spirit to walk in wisdom and understanding, filled with the thoughts of righteousness. I’m guided and regulated by the Word, today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
further study: Psalm 1:1; Matthew 5:29-30; Psalm 26:4-5
: Proverbs 3-4 1 Corinthians 14:1-40
: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Jeremiah 16
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