The Problem of Bad Company Sometimes Lies Within

Long ago in a land far, far away, my husband and I went on a beach vacation with my husband’s family. One of the excursions we took was an illustrious snorkeling outage. A little backstory for you- I don’t have the greatest track record with water sports in general or any activity not taking place on land. Despite the fact that I grew up camping and swimming in rivers and lakes my entire childhood, somewhere along the course of my cognitive development, I became skittish.

I took my Dramamine, actually I think I took two for good measure, bolstered a strong motivational talk to myself, and we boarded for the snorkeling adventure. The boat ambled out a good ways from land, and we prepared to disembark. Life vests secured, everyone joyfully hopped in the water and began exploring, riding the swells of the waves and searching for His handiwork in the crystalline depths below.

When the swells came, they blocked my view of land. I tried to focus on finding the beauty below, but despite my best efforts, motion sickness set in. I looked around. Everyone was having the most wonderful time, smiling and bobbing, then going back down to explore.

I drew my proverbial white flag. I simply began hollering for help in Spanish. “Ayudame! Ayudame!” I cried out in a panic-ridden state at that point.

My husband wasn’t far from me. I have pushed his patience to the limit a few times over the span of our fifteen year marriage. I’m glad I can provide for him fruit of the spirit building experiences on a regular basis.

He grabbed the string of my life vest and drug me back to the boat. I sat there trying to regain my composure as everyone around me seemingly had the time of their lives.

My old friends, self-doubt and insecurity, met me in that moment. They greeted me and welcomed me to take the first step down the path of unhealthy thoughts, luring with lies bred by skillfully crafted tactics that have been in place since Jesus experienced temptation Himself (Matthew 4:1-11).

I wonder if Elijah’s old friends met him in his moment after proving to the prophets of Baal that the Lord is the one true God? At one point, before fire from the Lord came down by Elijah’s prayer, Elijah even taunted them saying that their god must be thinking or traveling (I Kings 18:27). He encouraged the prophets of Baal to pray louder.

1 Kings 19:1-3, “King Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done. Ahab told her how Elijah had killed all the prophets with a sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. Jezebel said, “By this time tomorrow I will kill you. I will kill you as you killed those prophets. If I don’t succeed, may the gods punish me terribly. ”When Elijah heard this, he was afraid. So he ran away to save his life.” (ICB)

Elijah had just experienced a paramount spiritual victory by the Lord’s hand. One spoken word of conflict from Jezebel, who was calling upon the gods Elijah had just proved nonexistent to punish her if her plot to kill him failed, and he hightailed it to the desert to hide.

Like that moment on the boat for me and like Elijah going into hiding, the problem of bad company sometimes lies within.

I Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.”” (ICB)

We become like who we hang out with.

I am blessed to have a fortified network of friendships. We link shields in prayer for one another and row our boats alongside each other through whatever this life throws our way. Those positive influences in my life help keep me on the right path and push me forward to keep my momentum moving in the right direction.

It’s my internal influence that causes the threat. The corruption of character manifests when my old friends are welcomed in for refreshment. They are given the opportunity to stay awhile.

Ephesians 6 is fully at work. Every. Single. Day. Those spiritual forces, my old friends, it’s their sole focus to derail.

When we are our own worst enemy, we need to invoke the power of the One who defeated the enemy once and forevermore.

Father God, by Your grace alone I am here. You have pulled me out of the pits of life and set my foot on solid ground. Father, help me to see traps that breed lies that are not of You. You are faithful and good. Strengthen and fortify my mind. Thank You, Holy Father. Amen