In time, if things do not go right in life, our mind begins to complain. The book of Psalms speaks about that when one sees the happy times that wicked people seem to have compared to the troubles the godly seem to be in (Psalm 73). Asaph spoke of things that he had to endure and live through ---- but the wicked seemed to float along through life without a care or problem. It seems on the outside that the wicked do not fear death, are not in trouble as other men are, are not plagued with inward gnawing concerns, are full of pride and their eyes bulge with abundance. We may feel that we had been plagued and chastened every morning (verse 14). In our lifetime, school or career, we have all witnessed people being promoted or advancing by cheating, scheming, stepping on others and using almost any means to gain an advantage over others. What is the use of trying to be honest, we might be tempted to ask? In such great events like the Olympic games, athletes from all over the world complete for the prize of being the best in the world. Sadly enough, we have found all too many cases where people look for anything at all that might give them an advantage over others. Winning at any cost seems to be the motto and many people do not hesitate to pay any price for success. In the end, they sell themselves for success only to find that the prize they sought has evaporated. When Judas bargained to betray Christ for 30 pieces of silver, it was himself he was selling and when he came to his senses, he hung himself (Matt. 26:15, 27:3-5).
Our minds are wonderful in many ways, but the mind can also deceive us. For example, just consider how difficult it is for people to lose weight. Our mind will look for any little excuse for a little more desert. I will eat less tomorrow we are inclined to tell ourselves. One extra bit of desert will not matter our mind tells us. We deserve a treat now and then we tell ourselves. It is not easy to train the mind in good habits of thinking, but it is possible and necessary if we are to please God. Paul exhorts the faithful in Philippi to stand fast and to fill their minds with godly things. Meditating on that which is noble, just and pure trains our minds to develop those qualities within ourselves (Phil. 4:1-9). It is almost automatic, because as we obey God, He molds our character into His own. Peter exhorted his readers to be holy in all their conduct because God is holy. (I Pet. 1:15,16), and then adds greatly to that in his second book where he strongly writes about giving all diligence to do the things that make our election sure (2 Pet. 1:5-11). In every case we study about becoming Christlike and godly, we see that effort is required. The fruit of long and sustained effort in the right direction is the development of a strong and godly character that will always lead us to making good choices. We cannot change the world, but we can be steady in choosing the right way and that changes ourselves.
Paul was also inspired to write that evil company corrupts good habits (I Cor. 15:33). That does not mean we are to completely shun people who seem to be evil. When Jesus was on the earth, He sometimes ate with sinners (Mark 2:15). The danger Paul was referring to was the practice of trying to befriend anyone and perhaps getting into business deals with those who do not have high standards (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Pauls' words seem to conclude that taking part in things that are unclean in God's sight and false religious practices may creep into the life of a Christian. Paul was concerned about the way of thought and action that all of us learn when growing up. We are affected by our families and by society. A converted person has seen a different and much better goal and strives to correct anything in their life that might be contrary to the laws and ways of God. Prolonged contact with people tends to produce closeness which can result in a believer compromising some of the standards of life God instills in His children. Paul went on to encourage the people of Corinth and thus all believers, to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and to go on to perfect holiness. This is a lifelong process and when we are entangled with the ways of this world, the process becomes more difficult. Avoidance of closeness or walking in step (yoked) is wise.
Members of the church at Corinth seemed to have many difficult situations in their lives that needed a strong effort to change. They were having troubles within their own congregation and Paul called that still being somewhat carnal (I Cor. 3:1). He was concerned about the ongoing attempt of Satan to lead people astray (2 Cor. 11:3). That is the concern for all followers of Jesus Christ. Paul also pointed out the danger of false ministers who appeared and seemed to be ministers of righteousness, but who would be deceiving people (2 Cor. 11:15). There is no doubt that everyone who God has drawn into the fellowship with Jesus Christ has a history of life that needs to be changed. They are to become lights to the world rather than the ways of this world becoming the "light" they follow (Matt. 5:14). The concern Paul expressed was real and many Christians find themselves tied together with unbelievers in business practices, marriage or other relationships when God calls and opens the understanding of truth. It is not easy to extricate oneself from the ties that bind us. Paul noted the vanity and pride that many were still fighting in that church and encouraged each one to examine themselves whether they truly were in the faith lest they become disqualified (2 Cor. 13:5-7). Paul knew there were flaws and habits that needed to be changed, but the process was to continue as God works in a person as the Master Potter.
The danger is that almost anyone can be pulled into the error over time. Smooth words, seeming blessings and what looks like fun does impact our minds. When we do not see the immediate result of evil or wickedness, we tend to downplay the impact action has on life. We forget that habits of thought and action become deeply ingrained ruts in our mind and at times we simply grow weary of fighting. Once a person has stolen something and was not caught, they feel less inhibited to steal again when they need or want something. Habits or addictions rarely start overnight. People gamble and are surrounded by bright lights, bells and whistles, should they win some small amount - and those things reinforce the "feel good" feeling of the experience. We tend to want more when we find something that makes us feel good. We are always fighting our mind that finds reasons to stop. One example most of us recognize is simply going to the gym or going on a run. If we are feeling weary or have some slight ache, our mind begins to make excuses to quit. We change a goal or distance, or we tell ourselves we will do more "tomorrow." Normally we would think that we would never be like that, but all too often, like the dripping of a tap, a lot of water and for us will, can be lost.
Paul stated that he advanced in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries by being exceedingly zealous (Gal. 1:14). It is not wrong to advance through hard work and diligent effort as Daniel and his friends did in Babylon, but it is wrong to lie, cheat, step on others and almost sell your soul for gain. Good manners reflect a lifetime of effort in well being and well dong. They reflect choices that were right, even though they might have been hard choices to make. Daniel was an example of a godly man who never lost his basic principles. He lived in an ungodly world but kept his standards. We do pay for foolish mistakes. Be watchful about the company you choose and fight to extricate yourself from a yoke that can lead you away from God. Choose God's way.