Key Verse:
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”
— 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)

Devotional Summary:

Every fighter knows one thing: the people in your corner matter. If you have a weak trainer, a reckless sparring partner, or a teammate who doesn’t care about your future, you’ll get hurt — fast. In the fight for your life, the wrong people in your corner can cost you everything.

The Bible says it plainly: bad company corrupts good character. It doesn’t just influence you — it poisons you. If you run with men who live reckless, selfish lives, you’ll start to pick up their habits without even realizing it. Bad habits. Bad thinking. Bad heart.

You are in a real fight — against temptation, lies, injustice. You need brothers who are willing to bleed beside you for what’s right — not ones who sell you out for a cheap thrill or a quick score.

Look at Jesus. He picked His twelve disciples carefully. He didn’t pick men who were rich, famous, or perfect — but He chose men He could teach, men who were willing to leave everything behind and follow the mission. And when He trained them, He didn’t hold back. He told them straight up: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, ESV)

Jesus wasn’t calling boys to a playground — He was calling men to a battleground. He knew the fight would be brutal — betrayal, persecution, hardship — and He knew they had to be ready. You do too.

You must choose your corner team wisely. Find men who call you higher — not lower. Find brothers who push you toward honor, faith, discipline, courage. If you’re running with cowards and fools, don’t be surprised when you fall with them.

A true fighter doesn’t just train hard — he chooses his company harder.

Discussion Questions:

• Who’s in your corner right now? Are they helping you fight the good fight, or setting you up to lose?
• Have you ever been pulled into a bad situation because of the people you were hanging with?
• Why do you think Jesus cared so much about the kind of men He surrounded Himself with?
• What kind of brother do you want to be for others?

Challenge for the Week:

After class this week, think about your “team.”

• Pray: “Lord, surround me with brothers who fight for truth.”
• Evaluate: List your 3-5 closest friends.
• Decide: Is there someone you need to step back from? Is there someone you need to move closer to?

You can’t win the fight if your own corner is trying to throw in the towel. Choose your brothers like your life depends on it — because it does.