“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33) We have already looked at the company we keep and how it affects our character and behavior, but let us now consider that “company” is not restricted to human beings. When tracing the Greek word that Paul uses for “company” (homilia > homilos), remember that it most basically means “at the same place or time: together” and “to take for oneself, to prefer, to choose.” Remember that what we prefer and choose is based on our mindset, whether fleshly or spiritual. Our spiritual mind only remains that way if we continue to feed it with good things. (Philippians 4:8) Let us take some time to consider what we feed our minds and how that company has an affect on our character as well.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV) It has been proven countless times that the company we keep has an enormous effect on who we are. Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We can see an example of this in Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul addresses Peter’s hypocrisy and how it had affected Barnabas. The Greek word phtheiro that we translate “ruins” (in some translations “corrupts”), used by Paul in addressing the Corinthians, carries the idea of “leading astray,” “destruction,” and “depravity.” In other words, the behavior of one can over time destroy the good character of another. Let us take some time to consider the kind of company we keep and why we choose to do so.

What does it mean to make something one’s practice? What do we mean when we say things like “practice makes perfect”? According to Merriam-Webster, to practice anything means to “carry out, apply; to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually.” Therefore, when we practice anything, we are taking what we know in principle and practically implementing it. Practicing any skill, then, requires some knowledge to be applied. If it is something done often enough to be habitual, then we can safely conclude that practicing anything requires time, energy, and commitment to both acquire the knowledge that is to be applied and to train ourselves to apply it consistently. No one who begins to learn any new skill does so with immediate mastery. Is this not also true with growth as an obedient child of God?

In 1 John 2:29; 3:4-9, we read of two different practices: sin and righteousness. John tells us that those who practice sin also practice “lawlessness.” He continues by saying that those who make a practice of sin are “of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.” John juxtaposes the one who practices sin with the one who practices righteousness, saying that “whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous.” Unlike the one who practices sin and refuses to be directed by God’s law, the righteous person has “God’s seed” (the seed is the word of God, according to Luke 8:11) abiding in him.

Why is it so important to stress that righteousness is something we practice? Perhaps the answer to this question becomes clear when we consider the sinfulness of all men, “for there is no one who does not sin.” (1 Kings 8:46) In the context of this passage in 1 Kings, Solomon is praying to God on behalf of the people of Israel. Is Solomon being pessimistic by already assuming that the people will sin against God? Does he have no vote of confidence in his Jewish brethren? Or is Solomon being realistic? People sin. It is not a question of whether or not the righteous person sins, but rather a marked difference in what the righteous person does about his sin, as he continues to practice righteousness. Solomon is petitioning God to be merciful as long as the people sincerely acknowledge and forsake their sins and turn to God. John echoes this when he says, “no one who abides in Him keeps on sinning,” yet “if we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10; 3:6) Jesus says, “whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:21) But what if the light reveals that my works have not, in fact, been carried out in God? James reminds us that looking into God’s word which shows us for who we really are is like looking at a mirror, the implication being that the righteous person will correct themselves based on what God’s word reveals. (James 1:21-25) Practicing righteousness does not mean we begin with certain mastery over ourselves and our desires, perfectly handling God’s word, and resisting every temptation that comes our way. This implies, however, that we must grow in knowledge, that we must consistently apply what we learn from God’s word, and that we must continue to acknowledge and forsake the sins we do commit.

Some have misinterpreted and misused this particular section in 1 John to attempt to prove that once one is saved by the blood of Jesus, s/he can do nothing to lose that salvation. This is both ironic and inconsistent with what John is teaching, as he is refuting a false doctrine that encouraged its disciples to live sensual and worldly lives, with a belief that they could still maintain a relationship with God. While going so far as to say that I do not sin or cannot lose my salvation is wrong, it is just as false to conclude that my past sins preclude my capacity to live a righteous life in the present. Paul reminds us that the gospel has the power to save us, revealing God’s righteousness to build our faith in Him and bring about our obedience, since practicing righteousness requires that we live by such obedient faith. (Romans 1:5; 16-17) What, then, does the gospel teach us about God’s righteousness and what we must learn, trust, and practice?

We must trust that God justifies us by His abundant grace that we receive through faith, not by keeping track of all the good that we do in His service. (Romans 3:21-26; 5:20-21) If we have learned this, then we ought to practice expressing our thankfulness to God and sharing the joy of our salvation with others. We must trust that God’s word really does contain everything we need to live as godly people. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) If we truly believe this, then we ought to desire and make time to study, discuss, and implement His word each day we are blessed with life. We must trust that God is merciful to those who seek His forgiveness, and that Jesus’ blood really does have the power to “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If we know this, then we ought to practice confessing our sins to God and continue to confidently “walk in the light, as He is in the light,” knowing that “as He is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 1:7; 4:17)