The Company We Keep

Anita Delene Manthe
Aug 3, 2016
2 min read

If we do not exercise caution with those whom we interact with, we may become just like them. Now, this is a good thing when those whom we keep company with are positive. They have good strong moral values, they are persons of integrity, and they are honoring of others – they speak kindly to and of others. And, they do not gossip!

As a Christian it is essentially important that we keep company with fellow believers, that we fellowship with them. With this being an agreed upon necessity, what do we do when we cannot avoid loud, foul language and gossiping discussions?

This is a difficult situation for a Christian to find themselves in. Don’t you think so?

I find myself in this kind of situation often. I do not like it. One is work, and the other is personal. At work, because of my position – I manage the office – I can comment on the choice of language not being appropriate for an office environment. It is not! When I do this, I need to ensure the words I use, and the tone I use is gracious and kind, yet firm and insistent.

The other, the personal one, is a bit more awkward. It is more difficult as it is known I do not approve of their choice of language, yet it is still commonly used.

And so, when I hear a foul word casually spoken, or the gossip and coarse jesting has become the settled conversation. I have learned I need to be prepared with how to respond. My plan of action is based on obedience to the Lord. I need to be honoring of Him irrespective of the negative thoughts that family members, and their friends may have of me. I leave. No, I do not get up and storm out. I excuse myself with having something I need to pay attention to. Often I reserve chores, I put them on hold so that I have a legitimate excuse for leaving a discussion.

What is your plan of action?

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth (Colossians 3:8).
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).