One Bad Apple

I'm sure that you've heard the old proverb, "One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch," but what you may not have heard is that the saying is actually true. When apples ripen, they produce a hormone called ethylene which is secreted as a gas from the skin of the apple. This hormone can then cause all of the other apples in the bunch to overripen and decay.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'

Have you ever thought that the people you hang around with have a direct impact on your attitude concerning life? It's true. If you hang around with positive people then your outlook on life can become much more positive. If you are constantly surrounding yourself with negativity, then your glass will always be half empty.

We live in such an autonomous society that it is very difficult to think that other people we surround ourselves with have an impact on our lives. We feel so independent in our thinking and in our actions that we often ignore the influence that others have on our actions and attitudes.

The funny thing is, though, we see this concept very clearly in our children. If we are good parents we want to know who our children are hanging around with so that we can keep them from entering the wrong circles and keep them from 'catching' bad habits from their hoodlum friends. However, the application of this principle often stops when it comes to our own lives. It shouldn't. The people you are friends with, and the people you hang around with can significantly corrupt your attitudes and actions.

Are you surrounding yourself with people who are positive? Are you surrounding yourself with godly Christian friends who lift you up and draw you closer to God? Who are you surrounding yourself with that is corrupting your behavior? Are your friends distracting you from a walk with the Lord? What are you going to do about it. Remember, one bad apple destroys the whole bunch.