What is "Bad Company?"
1 Corinthians 15:33, Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
(NIV - Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”)
This is a very interesting text addressed to Christians. There is no underestimating the influence of what and who we allow. In context, the Apostle Paul was aware of, and spoke into, specific conditions within the church at Corinth during the First Century, including those who denied the resurrection of Christ.
Here in the 21st Century, we face our own challenges that may adversely affect one's character. “Good character” can be corrupted by “bad company.” The question is: What is “bad company?” The word “company” suggests current relationships, associations, and interactions.
As Paul wrote to church folk, “Do not be deceived...” and “Some do not have the knowledge of God.”
Paul also provided a solution, “Awake to righteousness.” Righteousness is God's standard or God's justice framework. In the Bible, righteousness and justice are related. We don't establish God's righteousness, we can only receive it.
It is the nature of “bad company” to corrupt justice/righteousness by creating religious standards, not rooted in an accurate Bible interpretation. Worse, is the creation of “biblical” false narratives to explain things that never existed, such as the USA being founded on “Christian principles” which is the heart of Christian Nationalism. (FYI: 26 of the 55 Framers of the Constitution owned other people--the real meaning of slavery)
So, I suggest that Christian Nationalists are “bad company” among other untoward influences.
