Hangin’ Out

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Become right-minded and stop sinning, because some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame. – 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 HCSB

If we want to become more like the Master, we need to find others who share a similar ambition and work out spiritually together.

Cultivate relationships with good and wise people. Try to determine what it is about them that makes them spiritually attractive. Analyze their behavior, both the good and the bad. Compare or contrast their habits to the Scriptures as Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.”[1] He was not advocating blind hero worship as is too common among Christians. He was teaching us to look for Christ’s attributes in others and imitate them in those regards.

We tend to become who we hang out with. This is a dangerous principle for undercover police officers. After a while, they can tend to lose sight of what a good man is supposed to do. This is a danger to potential tzaddikim who are working among many hard-core sinners. Suddenly and unintentionally, a cuss word will slip out.
This is the danger Solomon warned of when he said that a companion of fools will suffer harm.[2] He warned us of the nature of the wicked – that they are not content with being themselves wicked. They will try to influence others into the wrong paths.[3]

Solomon’s father, David, also taught that true happiness will be found in those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers.[4] Do you notice the trend? You start by simply listening, move on to the path or lifestyle, and soon you’re just “one of the gang.”

On the other hand, the same “rubbing off” principle works positively. The first half of Solomon’s proverb that I previously quoted says, “The one who walks with the wise will become wise.”[5] David went on to say that our delight should be in the Lord’s instruction.[6]

The tzaddikim recognize that they are in the world, but that does not mean they want to become like the world.[7] In order to help, they find other people who also have had their righteousness credited to them by the atoning work of Yeshua and are seeking to become more and more like him. They want to hold unwavering to their confession of hope and promote love and good works in their lives. So, they do not avoid the meetings of the tzaddikim, like many do. Instead, they meet and encourage each other to good works.[8]

Church is a spiritual gym. It is where you go to develop spiritual muscle. It is where you will hear others say, “Come on, you can do this.” It is where you will “spot” someone and keep them from harming themselves. True tzaddikim simply like to “hang out.”

[1] 1 Corinthians 11:1 HCSB
[2] Proverbs 13:20
[3] Proverbs 4:14-17; 24:1-2
[4] Psalm 1:1
[5] Proverbs 13:20
[6] Psalm 1:2
[7] Romans 12:1-2
[8] Hebrews 10:23-25