Not Above The Influence

1 Corinthians 15: 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (NASB) The context of 1 Corinthians is Paul discussing the resurrection and the hope we have through Jesus. If Jesus was not resurrected we would be completely lost. Paul then he makes mention of a Greek comedy play encouraging the brethren to […]

1 Corinthians 15: 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (NASB)

The context of 1 Corinthians is Paul discussing the resurrection and the hope we have through Jesus. If Jesus was not resurrected we would be completely lost. Paul then he makes mention of a Greek comedy play encouraging the brethren to not be deceived.
This play had a character named Thaïs. She was a musician who traveled with Alexander the Great after he conquered the upper parts of Africa and the East. With her music lyrics, she incited Alexander to burn Persepolis, which was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BC). Some think that she did this in revenge for Xerxes burning the temples in Greece.
Paul uses the knowledge of this historical character in a play to exemplify how we can be corrupted by doing things that are unbecoming. Maybe not to the point of burning a city, but we can also be influenced by what we hear our friends, by what we watch on TV or the songs we listen to. We are not above this influence, and I believe this is Paul’s point. We are influenced by what we see, watch and hear. Are you surrounding yourself with positive or negative examples?

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