Read

1 Corinthians 14:1-15:58

1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”

Think

Have you ever been guilty by association? Maybe you hung out with people who had a bad rep, and people started assuming that you were just like them? The fact is that no matter how hard you try, spending the majority of your time with the wrong crowd will eventually rub off on you. You’ll begin to think and act the way they think and act.

You might be thinking, “Yeah, but they’re my friends! What if I can’t find other people who accept me for who I am?” The thought of having to find new friends can be daunting. And no one wants to be lonely! Those are legitimate concerns. But when you seek to do life God’s way, He will bless you with the right “THEY”! So, make sure your closest friends are:

Tough and Tender – They’re tough enough to tell you what you need to hear but tender enough to support you through difficult times.

Honest — They’ll never lie to you, even if it would make you feel better.

Encouraging — They’ll cheer you on as you follow Christ.

Yielded to God — They’re crazy about Jesus and live under the authority of His Word.

These friends will always help and not hinder your walk with God! So, how do you find the right THEY? A great place to start is by consistently making church a priority on Sundays, joining a connect group or connection class, and serving in the house. Searching for the right THEY isn’t always the easiest journey, but it’s definitely the best route to living out who God created you to be!

Pray

God, Please help me find the right THEY and grant me the courage to distance myself from the wrong crowd. Give me the wisdom to build the right relationships and be a great friend to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.