There is a lot of hate focused on one man by so many in places of power and business. I could not help but wonder why there aren’t a small number of people from a group that does not share the same degree of hate to destroy a single man’s career and life. After lying and cheating him out of a position, you think that would be enough. They then create an atmosphere of violence to discredit him further with the purpose even to have him arrested on false charges, and to demand even to silence him, possibly even with death, is beyond belief. What causes me to question is that there is not one righteous person to stand up in a group of 200 people to stand up and say no, this is enough. Image yourself in that group, and you knew that everything is wrong, what would you do? Scripture warns us of such an experience, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV) 

The old saying is, “Birds of a feather flock together.” People tend to become more like those they associate with and do things. The behavior pattern is the same as in high school. The nerds, jocks, wise guys, musicians, and the in crowed all hung together in their little clicks. To be welcome in the group, you dressed and acted like the others in that group. The pattern of behavior continues even as adults. I recall a friend who adds a job on Wall Street, and I noticed they all wore that same blue London Fog Coat. I even joked, saying, “What is that your uniform?” Dressing alike is only the beginning of cooperative behavior.

The scripture tells us to avoid a particular type of association. “I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.” (Psalm 26:4-5 NIV) If we ignore this simple suggestion, we can ruin our godly morals and ruin our Christian judgment very quickly. We have let our guard down to become like those immoral members. The members will often humiliate you if you do not conform to the group’s standard. We can experience deception if we’re not careful like Eve in the Garden. The serpent had her think it was good, and it would not hurt her, but he fooled her. Often this is the very same strategy used to get us to comply with the group. Perhaps you are in a position where kickbacks and brides are the rules of the day or doing drugs, sex with minors, and you watch others doing it, and you fall into the trap. It’s so much harder to resist the temptation to sin when those around you are already doing it. Now there is no way out. The group knows that you are a witness to their behavior, and they have witnessed yours.  

In these times, we need to resist temptation by calling on Jesus Christ to grant us the strength to overcome temptation and remove ourselves from people committing those sins. It is better to avoid trying to be the square peg in a round hole, in the long run, thinking you’re going to reshape the group. Should you not comply, you will only suffer further humiliation. It is far better to pray for them and be friendly to them but not part of them. Since if they are to have a change of heart, it is from your ability to void living the group’s sinful life. 

It’s so much harder to resist the temptation to sin when those around you are already doing it. You’re the round peg in a square hole in those instances, so why try to fit in where you’re not supposed to? A Christian Warrior knows it is better not to associate with the enemy; in doing so, you become a traitor to the Lord. Hence if not one of 200 individuals does not stand up for righteousness, then the only conclusion is they are all corrupt.

Advertisement