1 Corinthians 15:29-34: in context

In his argument for the resurrection, Paul pauses to give a plain warning about the company we keep. Do not be deceived, he says: bad company corrupts good morals. Wake up righteously and do not sin. He knew that the Corinthians' associations were shaping them, that the influences they allowed were affecting their character and conduct, and he warns them plainly: the company we keep corrupts or strengthens us, and bad company corrupts good morals.

Paul's warning is direct and easily overlooked: bad company corrupts good morals. He states it as a truth we are prone to deny, prefacing it with do not be deceived, for we are often deceived on exactly this point. We tend to think we can keep whatever company we like without being affected, that we are strong enough to associate with corrupting influences and remain unchanged. Paul says this is a deception. The company we keep shapes us, often without our noticing; bad company, corrupting influences, associations that pull us toward sin, corrupt our morals, wearing down our character and drawing us into what we would not have chosen alone. We are shaped by those we keep company with. This searches the influences and associations we allow. We can be careless about the company we keep, the influences we let into our lives, assuming they do not affect us. But Paul warns that they do: bad company corrupts good morals. The people we spend time with, the voices we listen to, the influences we allow, shape our character and conduct, drawing us toward good or toward evil. Whoever walks with the wise, the proverb says, becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. Our associations form us; and to keep corrupting company, thinking ourselves immune, is the deception Paul warns against. This is not a call to isolation or to avoid all who are not like us; Jesus himself was a friend of sinners, and we are sent into the world. But it is a call to be mindful of the influences we allow to shape us, to recognize that we are formed by our company, and to be discerning about the associations and influences we let into our lives, lest we be corrupted without realizing it. Blessed is the one, the psalmist says, who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. This calls us to be discerning about the company we keep and the influences we allow. Bad company corrupts good morals, Paul warns; and we are shaped, often unawares, by our associations. This calls us to be mindful of the influences we let into our lives, choosing company and influences that strengthen rather than corrupt us, and recognizing that we are formed by those we keep company with, so that we do not carelessly allow corrupting influences to wear down our character, thinking ourselves immune, but are wise about the associations that shape us.

Am I careless about the company I keep and the influences I allow into my life, assuming I can associate with corrupting influences and remain unchanged, and can Paul's warning, do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals, make me mindful that I am shaped, often unawares, by my associations, moving me to be discerning about the company and influences I allow, choosing those that strengthen rather than corrupt my character, rather than thinking myself immune to their effect?