Corrupt character corrupts …

Spending too much time with, and allowing too much influence to, a person with corrupt character will likely result in the corrupting of others.

Check out this wild example of just how fast such corruption can pass, and how destructive it can be …

In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well.

It is estimated that, in today’s money, the damage resulting from the baseball fight resulted in more than $7 million dollars worth of destruction. All because two men insisted on brawling, and others joined their behavior.

The Apostle Paul gives us a warning about spending time with people of corrupt character …

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’ Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all,” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34.

We find a similar message in Proverbs 13:20 …

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”

The Bible says more about this subject, but you get the idea — corrupt character corrupts.

Who are you allowing to influence you? What impact does that influence and time together have on your character?

Scotty