Kenneth Copeland Ministries: Pursuit Of His PresenceSample

Funny, Funky and Far-Out

by Gloria Copeland

“Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships, (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33, The Amplified Bible

Natural man cannot understand Christians. Unbelievers say we are funny, funky, far-out, messed up, have-no-fun kind of people, who have nothing to do.

But natural man does not and has never experienced what the Bible calls peace. The Bible word for peace means everything that makes for man’s highest good. Natural man has never experienced that.

People in the world don’t understand what we do to honor God—that we do the things we do because we love Him and because God says those things are right. They don’t understand the reward of the kind of life we live—a life whose reward is well-being, good health, having your children serve God, having things work right in your life. The people of the world around you don’t feel like they have anything in common with you. They just don’t understand you.

They think, When you could commit adultery, why do you remain faithful to your husband or wife? When you go on business trips with others who are in the world and are committing adultery, why don’t you do it? Why don’t you want to have any “fun”? They don’t understand that adultery brings death. From Proverbs we know that adultery and death are tied together. They think adultery brings excitement through lust. But you know better.

First Corinthians 15:33 tells you that keeping the companionship of evil will wrongly influence you. When you are born again, you shouldn’t want to hang out in the same places you once did. You’re now learning and taking on a new life.

Later on, as you grow stronger, you might walk back through the middle of that life and there’ll be no temptation. But you have to walk very carefully until you learn how to walk completely free of your old lifestyle. Many times you have to break off old associations. You have to listen to God regarding where you’re to go and to fellowship. You can love your old friends and people in the world, but you can’t fellowship with them the same way you once did.

Fellowship is where you are relaxed. It’s where you don’t need your guard up. You feel at home. Fellowship now where you’re comfortable and being built up in the Word of truth.

You know the way to peace. You know the right way to live. You know in your heart where you should fellowship, and the places you need to avoid. Follow your heart. Follow the Holy Spirit on the inside of you. It doesn’t matter that no one around you understands. It’s OK to be called funny, funky, far-out and messed up—especially when you’re full of God’s peace.

Speak the Word

“I refuse to be deceived or misled by having evil associations or companions. I choose to fellowship with those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 15:33, The Amplified Bible

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