THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCERNMENT AND SHARING THE GOSPEL

1Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

The Complete Jewish Bible translation is clear and is supported by every other translation I checked.
Don’t be fooled. “Bad company ruins good character.”

The Greek for communications is a reference to companionship. Every good parent tries to teach their children that discernment in the choice of friends is very important. Every honest adult will admit the importance of that instruction. I couldn’t help but think of the scripture’s teaching that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9; based on Jesus’ teaching as recorded in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21) Peer pressure is a powerful influence—either for good or for bad. Sadly, there are far more people who will influence us for bad than there are those who will influence us for good as based on the teaching of scripture.

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

I am reminded that the context is the teaching of the resurrection. Paul is evidently making reference to false teachers who have infiltrated the Corinthian church and are teaching that there is no resurrection. Take away the hope of the people regarding their resurrection to eternal life and you destroy their faith.

1Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

Paul’s warning—Wake up! (Get a grip!) Quit your sinful ways and start practicing righteous living. (Live according to God’s instructions as stated in scripture.) As always, the corruption of God’s truth always leads one into sin. I just watched the movie “The Timechanger” again. Satan and his forces are so successful in their use of deceit. Even teaching the morality established by God’s word will eventually result in sin when taught disconnect from the authority behind that instruction.

“some have not the knowledge of God” – According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown this is a reference to “An habitual ignorance: willful, in that they prefer to keep their sins, rather than part with them, in order to know God.” Once our flesh gets a taste of sin, it wants more.

The more I think about it, I think that is why many who claim to possess saving faith in Christ have no interest in studying God’s word. The more you know, the more you have to confront the guilt associated with disobedience to His instruction. It’s easier to “enjoy” the pleasures of sin for a season if you can claim ignorance to its being identified as sin. That also explains the success of the seeker sensitive message embraced by many “pastors” today. By avoiding preaching against sin and only teaching about God’s love, their members can remain comfortable in their sin and stay connected to their church. The “pastors” can then consider themselves successful without suffering persecution as experienced by the prophets and apostles of old. In fact, they can enjoy a very luxurious lifestyle. I can’t help but be reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:2–4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Paul pulls no punches as he shares this truth. He declares this truth to the shame of those in Corinth who call themselves “Christians.” He understands like the prophet Jeremiah that the body of believers needs to understand God’s word—not just in part, but in whole.

Jeremiah 23:21–22 “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”