There once was a farmer who had a pet parrot. He also had a corn patch.

One morning the farmer woke and looked out his window to find his corn patch filled with crows. He got his shotgun and went to the corn patch. After shooting several times, he went into the field joined by his young son.

They both were surprised to find their parrot lying on the ground among the dead crows. The boy asked his dad, “What happened?” The farmer said, “bad company.”

The company one keeps is a vital part of the makeup of one’s character. Once, a Christian young man became friends with some worldly people.

While riding to work with his new friends, he found himself in a terrible spot. His friends stopped at a store with the intent to shoplift.

He stayed in the car knowing all the time that if they got caught, he would be implicated in the crime. After this incident he began to examine the company he kept.

One who has a spotless reputation can have it smudged by hanging out with the wrong crowd. Therefore, it is important that one choose friends wisely.

Just how does one choose friends? It may be from one’s environment, neighbors, school, job, etc. This type of friendship may be more of an acquaintance than a true friend.

Getting to know people helps to determine whether they would be a friend or not.

One way to determine if someone should be considered for a friend or not is by the company they keep.

Teachers see how influence affects others as they deal with students. As students mix and mingle together, many good children have allowed others to change their character.

This comes from the desire to fit in with the crowd. Good children can influence other children, but they must remain true to God. In the formative years of a young person’s life it is important that parents are aware of who their children’s friends are.

The Proverb wrote, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20).

This wisdom should be followed. How many times have Christians found themselves falling into Satan’s snares by having the wrong friends? The influence of others should never be taken for granted. If someone fails to do this, they may find themselves in trouble.

Proverbs 27 states that iron sharpens iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Influence is important.

This is one of the reasons Christians need to let their light shine brightly in the world. The Christian influence can change the world (Acts 17:6).

The Psalmist wrote of how one would be blessed if they did not do three things. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

The first was “walking in the counsel of the ungodly.” Taking the advice or counsel of those who are wicked will lead one away from God.

In the Garden of Eden Adam listed to the counsel of Eve, who had listened to Satan, and it led to their demise. King Saul listened to the people, taking their counsel and he ended up being removed as king. King Rehoboam took counsel of men who were unwise, and the result was the divided kingdom.

Today, Christians who listen to the counsel of worldly people can end up in sin. Many times, when couples are having marital problems, instead of talking to a Christian counselor, they talk to people of the world and get the wrong advice.

Each Christian should learn by these examples to be careful of whom they seek advice or friendship. Ungodly people only have worldly answers. One should seek out other Christians for counsel.

Next week we will continue our thoughts on this matter.