A blog from Sunday’s Sermon on Proverbs 23:19-28
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Who you spend your time with will shape who you become. Scripture is clear—friendship is never neutral. The people we allow closest to our hearts will either push us toward Christ or pull us away from Him.
James 4:4 warns us bluntly: “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.”
In other words—choose your friends wisely.
1. Avoid the Indulgent (Proverbs 23:19-21)
The Bible warns us to lead our hearts with wisdom and not walk with those who have no self-control. Proverbs speaks of people who “drink too much wine” and “gorge themselves on meat.”
This isn’t about an occasional meal—it’s about a lifestyle of overindulgence and partying. In the ancient world, meat was rare and usually reserved for celebrations or worship gatherings. To constantly feast and drink was a sign of someone chasing pleasure rather than living with discipline.
People like this often share common traits: laziness, carelessness, and a lack of self-control. Befriend them, and their habits will rub off on you. Proverbs warns that such a life leads to poverty and grogginess—an emptiness that comes from wasting both time and resources.
Example: Lot didn’t start out living in the sin-soaked city of Sodom. First, he pitched his tent nearby. Then he moved in. Eventually, he was sitting at the city gate—fully immersed in their ways. His compromise cost him his home, his wife, and left him with a broken family.
Application: As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of it. We can minister to those caught in indulgence without making their lifestyle our own. Sometimes wisdom means saying no to environments, events, or even friendships that could draw us into sin.
2. Avoid the Immoral (Proverbs 23:26-28)
Sexual immorality isn’t just a temptation of the modern age—it’s been a snare for humanity since the beginning. Proverbs describes immorality as a “deep pit” and a “narrow well”—something that promises satisfaction but only traps and disappoints.
Our culture normalizes immorality through:
- Media—TV shows, movies, music, and advertising
- Clothing trends that promote immodesty
- Peer pressure in relationships
- Policies that make it easier to sin and avoid consequences
But the reality is that immorality is deceptive, disappointing, depriving, and ultimately destructive. It destroys lives, families, and even entire societies.
Application: The wisest choice isn’t to see how close we can get to the line—it’s to flee. Scripture is clear: we can’t walk in purity while keeping one foot in temptation.
3. Accept Parental Instruction (Proverbs 23:22-25)
One of the greatest safeguards against bad company and destructive choices is listening to the counsel of godly parents. Proverbs urges us to “listen” and “not despise” the wisdom they offer.
A wise person seeks truth and holds onto it. A fool throws it away. Our parents have life experience, perspective, and—if they are walking with the Lord—a God-given responsibility to guide us toward Him.
Application: Even as adults, we should value and honor wise, godly counsel from those who have walked with Christ longer than we have.
The Bigger Picture
Revelation describes the end times as a world overcome with drunkenness and immorality—a society so far gone it’s on the brink of judgment. When we look around at our culture today, it’s easy to see similar patterns.
1 John 2:15-17 reminds us not to love the world or the things in it. Those who belong to Christ are called to a different path—a life marked by holiness, not compromise.
If you find that your closest friends are pulling you toward indulgence or immorality, it’s time to take a hard look at your relationships. Repent, realign your life with God’s Word, and surround yourself with people who will encourage your walk with Christ.
Because in the end, the company you keep is shaping the person you’re becoming.
Watch the full message here –
