I remember hearing a saying that went something along the lines of; I do not wish them bad things, I want them to have a good life and food to eat, just not at my table. In other words, we don’t wish bad things for people that are not good for us, we just know that we have to separate ourselves from people that hinder our growth and walk with God. Sometimes it is better just to be kind and pray for them, but love them from a distance. I have had to do this in my life. As I became older and wiser; I stopped associating myself with people with bad behavior, people that lived a life that went against my values, people that did not treat me with worth, people who lived ungodly lives. I did not ever stop caring for these individuals. Though I knew in order to be the woman that God intended for me to be, I had to separate myself from people that hindered my growth. Not because I am better, but they are not ready or willing to be the people that God intended them to be. I needed to move forward. I think about some of these people and I do not wish them ill will and I hope that someday that they learn to truly walk with God. Though I am learning to walk better with Him, in my own journey, I am striving to always be the best version of myself, for His glory. I surround myself with a different crowd these days. Ones in which have a true love for God and those in which have the same values as myself and also striving daily to walk with the Lord. We can still be kind and loving, while creating healthy boundaries with people. We can love those that go against God and pray that they too will someday walk with Him. We can reach out to them with resources and help them, if they are willing to hear it. We can set an example by the life that we live. Though we must be careful of the company we keep. Keeping safe boundaries, is not being unkind, it is being wise.

 Friend, we must be careful with those that we allow to have an impact over our lives. If they are not living godly lives and we are constantly allowing them to be a part of ours, it makes it hard for us to grow in our faith. Though if we surround ourselves with people who truly love God, we can better grow in our faith. There is nothing wrong with loving people that do wrong, from a distance and offer prayer, wisdom and setting an example that someday they too will become the people that God had in mind. May we love, with wisdom and may we grow in our faith with those that help nourish it. For when we surround ourselves with godly people, it is there where we can better grow. We must remember that is wise to be careful with whom we allow to sit at our table with us. For people whom prove toxic to our faith walk, are like poison to our meal. May we choose wisely, the company that we keep.

Erin Fitts-Brower

1 Corinthians 5:11 NIV

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NIV

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame.

Proverbs 13:19-22 NIV

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.