What town are YOU living in?

If you were to paint a picture of a town based on the people you've conversed with the past week, the attitudes, the topics of conversation, the music you've listened to, the shows you've watched; what kind of town would it be?

I've been reading the CS Lewis book, "The Great Divorce" (it says it's about a bus ride from heaven to hell), and it starts in a small, not very pleasant town. One of the "visitors" tried to get people to conduct themselves better, but found that people tend to sink to the level of their surroundings.

Have you ever found that to be true? Have you noticed that the bad conduct of someone rubs off on those around them, but that the good conduct of someone is rarely or barely noticed?

There is an old saying that one rotten apple spoils the barrel. Jesus and the apostles warned us that bad teaching and bad living is like leaven, and "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (Gal 5:9)

Somehow we convince ourselves that we can hang out with ungodly people or subject ourselves to ungodly things, and that our good example will somehow turn around ungodly behavior in those around us. The fact of the matter is, that the ungodly behavior will corrupt the good habits or practices. Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." (1Co 15:33)

This is why the company you keep is so important.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psa 1:1-2)

You will be much happier if you avoid listening to or taking advice from people that do not walk with the Lord. You will be much happier if you avoid hanging out with ungodly people, and you will be much happier if you avoid joining up with people that mock God, mock parents, mock the boss, or mock other authority in their lives.

The things you lend your ears to and the company you keep is the town you live in. So, what town DO you live in?

If it's not a good one, RELOCATE!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.