The Company To Keep

Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'

1 Corinthians 15:33

Friendship is one of the most beautiful blessings God gives us. Friends can feel like family—sometimes even closer than family. They listen to us when we’re down, celebrate our victories, and walk beside us in the ordinary moments. But as beautiful as friendship is, it also comes with a weighty truth: not all friendships are meant to be kept.

There will be people who make us laugh but also lead us away from our purpose. Some friendships seem sweet in the beginning but begin to chip away at our convictions, our time, and even our relationship with God. That’s why the Bible is filled with reminders to choose our friends carefully.

When Scripture says, “Bad company corrupts good character,” it’s not a warning rooted in fear—it’s wisdom wrapped in love. God wants to protect your heart. He knows how easily the people closest to you can influence your choices, your habits, and even your identity. Just like iron sharpens iron, the wrong company can dull your edge, make you question your worth, or even steer you away from God’s calling.

But here’s the good news: God also brings the right people at the right time. The kind of friends who pray for you behind your back, who speak life into your soul, who remind you of who you are and Whose you are. Friends who stay even when things get messy, but won’t stay silent if you’re making choices that dishonor God.

Sometimes, choosing wisely means walking away quietly. It doesn’t require drama or bitterness. Just wisdom and peace. You can still love people from a distance and pray for them without keeping them in your inner circle.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment. Not everyone who enters your life is meant to stay. And that’s okay. Let God do the pruning. Because the people you surround yourself with should reflect the future you're walking toward, not the past you’ve already left behind.