Be Prepared, Bible Study

Evil Company Corrupts Good Habits

bad_apple

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

brains_fall_out

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

light_and_dark_cant_fellowship

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them
And walk among them. I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

cant_talk_to_god_and_join_hands_with_devil

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

shake_dust_for_those_not_wanting_truth

Matthew 10:14 
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

moving_past_rejection

Mark 6:11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

Luke 9:5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

James 4:13-17

if_the_lord_wills
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;

14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

“A New Name Written Down in Glory arr. Diane Bish”

Published by

jcsouthwest

48 thoughts on “Evil Company Corrupts Good Habits”

  1. Talking about evil company the finnish parliament voted against reinstitution of traditional marriage laws in Finland allowing gays and lesbians equal marriage rights as men and women in traditional marriage with adoption rights?

    I said now the judgement of My country starts, i hope these judgements will save many a person from an eternal destiny worse than anything one could imagine.

    Eternity without Jesus, im so sad for My country today……..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. I’m certain the same would happen here Stig. If they try to change the marriage laws back to Traditional — civil war would probably erupt. Same would probably happen if they try to make abortions illegal here or remove the special rights given to those that that don’t identify as men or women.

    Isaiah 5:20

    20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Selections from ISAIAH 5 (KJV):

      11 WOE UNTO THEM rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

      12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.

      13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

      14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

      15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

      16 But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

      18 WOE UNTO THEM that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

      20 WOE UNTO THEM that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

      21 WOE UNTO THEM that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

      22 WOE UNTO THEM that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

      23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

      24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

      25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

      26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. I suppose Based on biblical patterns judgement will escalate progressively towards worse here too. Culminating in a conflict with Russia, the finnish army has made huge arms purchases of late and are increasing war strength with 50000 men.

        An old lady prophecies in the 1960s that Finland would be split in two by an armed conflict and aid would arrive from the North and push back the attacker. Remins to see IF that is true but that passage by Isaiah Peggy posted nails it!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  3. “Woe Unto Them”— a part of THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM by Randall Thompson. It uses most of the Scripture I posted above.
    Plus, another one after all the “Woe Unto Thems”—-
    “BUT THESE ARE THEY THAT FORSAKE THE LORD, NEITHER CONSIDER THE OPERATIONS OF HIS HAND”

    Like

    Reply

      1. You can find “Woe Unto Them” by clicking the box in the upper left and going to #2.

        By the way, the text of the entire “Peaceable Kingdom” is from the Bible.
        “Say Ye to the Righteous” is:

        “Say ye to the righteous, it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hand shall be given him.

        Behold, my servant shall sing for joy of heart, but ye (the wicked) shall howl for vexation of spirit.”

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

  4. Daily Devotional — 2/18/17

    GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME
    …But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9b

    Over the past three days, we have seen that we need to watch and listen diligently for God’s eternal story of deliverance. God is at work behind life’s miseries and mysteries.

    Today I want to share with you a personal testimony from our Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) seminars of this wonderful principle at work.

    In 2004, Jim Cunningham and I were invited by our Central Asia Director to hold SSTS seminars in several countries of that needy region where persecution is often severe for the many believers from Muslim background. The first two seminars in one country went extremely well due to young interpreters (we sometimes refer to such as “interrupters”) who were very fluent. Before we finished mentioning a scriptural reference, they would be immediately quoting it in Russian (the colonial language of the area frequently used).

    The third and final seminar was to be held in a neighboring country. After significant travel challenges to arrive at the location, we were greeted by our host with the news that there was no one to translate us into the local language, so they had hired Svetlana (not her real name) who reportedly was fluent in English and Russian. They could easily understand the latter.

    The three-day seminar took place at a Christian camp ground very suitable for such training and where accommodations were excellent and private. Many of the forty assembled believers had not met before, so the three days were filled with great fellowship, music and worship.

    But the seminar itself was a disaster! Svetlana was not a believer and not familiar with the Bible. Secondly, her English vocabulary was extremely limited. She did not understand even simple words like “grace” and “forgiveness.” We spent three frustrating days trying to explain biblical terms and principles to her and despairing that the group understood anything we had come to share. I left that event considering it had been a waste of time and effort.

    In December 2010, Jim and I were back in the region working with SSTS trainers from all the five or so countries of the area. A young man approached us and said, “You don’t know me, but you know my mother, Svetlana. She was your interpreter in my country six years ago.”

    I smiled sardonically. How could I ever forget Svetlana! But he continued with an almost unbelievable tale. After the SSTS seminar, his mother began reading her Russian Bible and ultimately gave her life to Jesus. Then she led her whole family to faith in Him. And now her son, standing before us, was selected to be here for training as an SSTS teacher in that particular country where I had thought our efforts were such a waste! God is good—all the time!

    RESPONSE: Today I will serve God knowing that He is at work behind all life’s miseries and mysteries.

    PRAYER: Lord, today I will rely on Your strength and power to accomplish Your good purposes.

    Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

    Like

    Reply

  5. Testimony — 2/18/17

    Yesterday (2/17/17) I received outstanding news from one of my Medical Specialists. All of the results from this specialist came back with very good news! This specialist switched medications due to the test results from my Primary Physician back in January. I had no idea that they now have some medication compatibility/allergy tests for new medications.

    If it’s in the Lord’s will, I go back to my Primary Physician in April to continue monitoring a Chronic kidney disease and another “issue” they told me about in January 2017.

    Thank You Jesus for everything! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    2. Thats great news, in notime JC will be out on the prairies singing Rawhide and giving EM donkeys the goodies 😎 IF you remember My donkey Scandal at Lindas blog way back combined with Rawhide 😂

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

    1. What just came to mind about convenience taken away. Imagine how people will react if any or all of these things come to a halt:

      Food Distribution, Water, Electricity, Banking, Internet, Phone Satellite Systems, Fuel for Vehicles….etc.

      We saw a small example on what people do to each other when they try to save money on “stuff” during “Black Friday”.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. True JC here in Finland many people still are quite basic in their lifestyles without many conveniences you mentioned. Im myself quite accustomed to convenient lifestyle but i guess should i have to i would find My inner survivalist Rambo somewhere. At least after dropping 30 kilos of excess emergency storage on the waist. 😆

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

      2. These riots in the cities, France, etc are a sure sign there will be no rational thinking. It’s just scary to see just how deep the delusion is running……

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  7. I have to say that Isaiah 5:18 is MARVELOUS in the word picture that it gives for iniquity and sin:
    “WOE UNTO THEM that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope”

    Also, speaking of the beauty of Bible Text, I have learned that the Book of Ruth in the Bible has been almost universally studied at college literature classes as a CLASSIC piece of writing in a variety of ways. The Book of Ruth is just 4 chapters in length.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I am posting this in response to and in confirmation of MIKE FISCH’S comment above which states:
      “Yes, I think people will be stunned at how the veneer of civilization will fall away, and a sort of animalism and tribalism emerges. The Lord will protect those who out their faith in him.”

      [Here’s a sobering vision I just read in the Z3 News comments section. This vision was published on 2/18/2017 by “Dave W.” AMOK is also AMUCK— definition: in a murderous frenzy—- and more if you have a hard-cover dictionary—– not good—– I see more in the hard-cover dictionary than I saw on the online dictionary—–Peggy]

      “Just before waking up this morning, I was given a vision of a newspaper headline. In large black letters was the word AMOK. Below it was a picture of a soldier with a street scene in the background. Not being familiar with the term AMOK, I looked it up in the dictionary. The dictionary is copyrighted, so the definition cannot be reproduced here. Let’s just say AMOK is not a good thing. May the Lord have mercy on us.”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Here is another word that correlates with MIKE FISCH’S comment above. I had read this somewhere well over a year ago and had copied and pasted it because it impacted me greatly:

        “I’m telling you all of this because of the shock that is about to hit this nation. Everything has been running on the surface: social norms, order, etc. But when people are stripped of all they own, stripped of what they based their human dignity upon…things become desperate indeed.

        That’s what I want you all to understand. It’s going to be a shock that will tear away that civil layer and throw people into complete confusion and despair. They will lose their sense of identity, lose their sense of morality and lost their sense of Me.

        The greatest good you can do for anyone is convince them of their ultimate worth: My Blood. When they cling to worldly things that are taken away in a breath, devastation sets in. Thoughts of suicide, ‘My life is not worth living anymore.’ Even Christians fall into this.

        I wish for all of you to comfort others with these words: I love them and they are just as special now, stripped down to nothing as they were with all their trappings. Remind them that there are no U-Hauls behind a hearse. Sooner or later they will appear before Me with no earthly goods – and My Joy is in their being, their love for Me, the purity of their hearts before Me. When men are stripped to nothing, then the gold is separated from the dross. That goes for you, too, My Love. Whether you be on foot or a bike or your truck, your worth is in who you are to Me – not in your vehicle.

        I know this seems so elemental and simple. But when it happens, there will be nothing simple about it. I am telling you now – the most important thing that you can do for people during this crisis is to restore their sense of worth. They have two options: act like animals and survive. Or be creatures of honor, fashioned in My image. Trusting in Me.

        “Yes, things like food, heat, shelter are very important. But for some, despair will overtake them, because they will see they are not who they thought they were. As they are paralyzed and taken down with the rest of the world. Preachers and their congregations that have been teaching prosperity will be especially hard hit.”

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply

      2. Amok as a Word is of malay/indonesian origin. Obama still has a command post in Dc and he grew up in Indonesia! Possibly a link or nothing. The Word can be found just write Amok etymology and its there!

        IT also has a russian sound to it the Word that is.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

    2. Here’s the text shared on Bette’s Video:

      Our website is http://www.vvmint.org Please be aware of this flu going on and many health issues within the body of Christ across the US…….

      This is a deliberate attack to kill God’s people,especially since God has been giving out assignments…….Judgments have begun and will start to increase,,,,,,,Be ever vigilant,ever sleeping for the adversary continues to stalk and is making war with the saints………However know this,our King is here ready to provide an ark of safety……..of shelter..of protection……..make way the return of the Lord!!!!!!!sickness

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    3. I keep sharing with people this war, is on white, Christian and the Jewish people. There will be slave camps and an anger we’ve never seen. I get pooh poohed……with the exception of a few………….

      Like

      Reply

      1. Sonshine, most people don’t want to know the truth in anything. They certainly don’t want to know the truth in the Word of God. The “camps” you mention, remind me of the warnings sent out about how FEMA camps will be used much like the Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

      2. Ignorance is an Basic defence Mechanism Of The mind. By ignoring some perille thing It will not touch them. Its like The bird putting its head in the said. Hello your body is still visible!

        Ignorance is The worst defence, confrontation and spreading news Of its arrival is best!

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply

  9. Daily Devotional — 2/19/17

    RELGIOUS LIBERTY
    So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

    Ron Boyd MacMillan is a perceptive communicator. He writes for the next two days:

    As my plane touched down after a trip to the Middle East, I breathed a big sigh of relief. I was back where I did not have to watch my back, be careful what I said, or where I went. Whew. I was back in a country that had religious freedom. I prayed to God, “Thank you for the men and women who fought to bring me this freedom. Thank God they won.”

    Then two incidents happened one after the other that made me think again.

    I was at an art exhibition and looking at a painting entitled, Man startled on a horse. I sought out the artist and said, “Was that the Apostle Paul on the Damascus road you were depicting?” I thought he would be pleased I had figured it out.

    But he looked horrified, and glancing around he hissed, “For goodness sake keep quiet. Do you want me to get labeled as a religious artist? I’d never sell another painting if that happened.”

    Then I was talking to a priest in charge of a large church in my city. His church had just received a large sum of money from the state for the refurbishment of a church hall. Then he said, “Well, we had to sign an agreement that the church would be available for everyone of any religion, and that we would not try to convert anyone. But we were happy to do that. We just want to be a community resource.”

    Suddenly I became aware that I had to fight for religious liberty in my own country. I had thought that because certain toleration laws were in place, I was safe.

    But no, it was clear from the artist that to admit one’s Christian faith in a public context was professional suicide.

    How did my society suddenly get so prejudiced?

    And look at the priest blithely giving up his right to evangelize, without a thought to the long-term cost. Who was asking him to refrain from evangelizing? And how could he be so unaware of the freedom he just signed away?

    RESPONSE: Today I will not assume that freedom is automatic. I will stand up for the truth of God’s Word and be truly free.

    PRAYER: Lord, may I never take the free expression of my faith for granted. Help me to understand the challenges that representing Your truth will bring.

    Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Speaking of “Fema Camps” above, here is a short dream that I had earlier in February. It was published on “Whistle-Blower Jeff” (Jeff Byerly —who also posts words on holyspiritwind blog).

      I am not sure if this will literally happen OR if it is meant as a message of HOPE for any that find themselves in that situation.

      Thursday, February 9, 2017
      Sister In Christ & Friend Shared This Dream About FEMA Camp/FEMA CAMPS ARE REAL.

      I had a dream of being outside in the back of a large store that had barbed wire fence everywhere in sight enclosing it. There were a number of other
      people there, also. I didn’t see anything anywhere around that would have indicated the name of the store. It seemed like a Walmart, but my sense was that it wasn’t. All of a sudden, I was in a train car with my mom (a believer) next to me and a fellow mature believer in the train car also. There were others in the car that I didn’t know. I was able to get another view of the back of this large store and saw many vehicles in the back that really had no place in the back of a normal store. Among them were vehicles used for digging. The ground was all dug up and not really pleasant looking. My thought was that they were used for digging tunnels. Between the barbed wire fence, the string of box cars, and the line of vehicles/equipment, something seemed very wrong to me. It seemed like I was able to communicate my concern silently to my mom and the other believer. The others seemed to be unreachable.

      My focus was on the train car we were in. It suddenly raced through the streets. There really wasn’t any signs of life on these streets. Things were not normal.
      There was smoke, the color red, and then darkness as we proceeded into a tunnel. Once in the tunnel, I happened to look to my left to see a window display of model cars and trucks, including dairy and ice-cream trucks. They were from the 1950’s. I really wanted to look at it, to focus on something more pleasant then the reality that I was living. As I was looking, all in our car and the others were suddenly empty. I was standing outside the empty car with my mother and the other believer in the tunnel. There seemed to be no doorways or means of escape. It was all an enclosed tunnel. DREAM ENDED.

      Interpretation:
      I believe the dream was of being transported to a FEMA Camp. Prior to that, we must have been rounded up at this store.
      The smoke and red color in the sky and on the streets was the deserted nature of what seemed to be previously a bustling, thriving city. That was evidence of destruction.

      Going underground in the dark meant being transported through a network of underground FEMA tunnels.
      Seeing what looked like a store window-front display on the side of the tunnel was a nostalgic opportunity to view an era that was gone. Perhaps some of our basic
      food supply was gone as indicated by seeing the dairy trucks. Perhaps things that previously brought us pleasure, like ice cream were gone, as represented by the ice-cream trucks.

      I didn’t feel fear during any of the dream because I have tried to remain grounded in the Holy Bible daily and have been led to many prophecies and warnings about Martial Law. Also, I saw the grace of having a type of companionship in this situation with my mother and the other believer, although we didn’t speak to each other. I know my mind was looking to see something pleasant to offset the unfolding unpleasant truth of this situation. I did see it in the nostalgic 1950’s “window display” in the tunnel. Although the “window display” offered a type of brief nostalgic comfort, it also “spoke” the hard truth of this era being ended.

      When the dream ended in the semi-dark tunnel with no one else around and no apparent way out, the three of us remaining didn’t speak. That was important. Words matter and “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Perhaps we were seeking the Lord directly, individually. If there was anything to be spoken aloud or in nurtured in thought, it should have been only Scripture from the Holy Bible for the best and most miraculous results. If we did that, I sincerely believe that God would have “made a way where there seemed to be no way,” even to providing a supernatural door and way of escape right there in the tunnel. That is just one idea, though. It would have been important not to limit God; to let Him work in any way He chooses, and to be quickly obedient no matter how “good” or “bad” the natural eyes and carnal mind would tend to assess His Instructions.

      Summary:
      Spend much time daily with Him in His Word. Think and speak His Word throughout the day. Seek to hear His voice and be led moment by moment by the Holy Spirit. Be immediately obedient.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. OK—immediately after posting my dream above, I opened this “Daily Scripture and Prayer” email. This was my final sentence above:
        “Be immediately OBEDIENT.” Now check and see how this confirms that sentence!

        Daily Scripture and Prayer (by Jolie)

        “ ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice…'”

        Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times we have tried (intentionally or not) to buy Your approval. Sometimes people think that they can please You by calling You “Lord,” or by putting a Christian fish or license plate rim on their car, or by tithing to a church, or even by sharing the gospel with people!, etc… All those things are good. But what good is it if we are living a double standard? We may be acting like faithful followers on the outside, but our hearts aren’t right with You. Are we harboring rebellion, unforgiveness, anger, hatred, lust, jealousy, etc?. Or perhaps we’re calling ourselves Christians but we’re flat-out disobeying You all over the place. You are pleased when we are obedient! And we prove our love and devotion to You by obeying Your word – all parts of it – not just the parts that we like. Please work obedience into our hearts, help us Lord Jesus to choose obedience! We love You Lord so much! Amen.

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply

      1. Great posts Mike…
        Your post about Trumps connection with the Freemasons is interesting, sadly . I read parts 1-5 of Nathan’s post a few weeks ago. Not sure where I came across the link but am glad I did. Holy Spirit no doubt. It was confirmation for me.

        Like

        Reply

Leave a comment