I wrote in a devotional anthology with some of my veteran sisters; at the time of writing, it is 2025. Sharing with you is critical, especially as we move deeper into end times, which are saturated with wickedness.
If you haven’t already, take a moment to read last month’s post, Are You Rooted in Christ? — it sets a powerful foundation for what I’m sharing today.
It dawned on me one day that many of the proverbs that our parents reminded us to do or not to do are biblical. I am not sure if my mom knew she was instilling biblical principles. For instance, she would warn me to be careful who I hung out with. Honestly, I thought that that was a little judgmental.
I didn’t know that the warning she was giving me was a biblical warning. According to 1 Corinthians 15:33:
“Bad behavior corrupts good manners.”
The company we keep, what we listen to, participate in, and watch has a strong impact on our spiritual growth, soul, and body. We must connect with relationships and make good choices in environments that guide us on a path of holiness, wisdom, knowledge, and increase our faith.
A simple meaning about the verse 1 Corinthians 15:33: The Apostle Paul was warning the believers against being misled by others. And by hearing false teachings often enough, they may start believing it (self-deception). This is true today. When he speaks of evil communications, he is simply speaking of companionship, association, which refers to false teachings, corrupt influences, and/or bad company. Corrupt good manners refer to our habits, morals, character, and lifestyle. Paul gave the same warnings back then as my mother, and maybe yours did too, and that associating with the wrong influences leads to moral decline.
I left home and joined the military in my twenties, and being transparent, only joined for adventure and travel, and I received it. But I didn’t surround myself with other authentic believers who encouraged each other to stand firm in Christ. I conformed to the culture that contradicted my faith. I started to attend parties and events that didn’t increase my faith, listened to and watched all sorts of ungodly music and movies, and some other things that I won’t mention. Since then, I’ve repented to God; I’m good.
The main things I learned during that time in my life were:
Maintain your true godly identity and character, no matter where you are.
Never compromise good manners for corrupt communication.
Regardless of the environment, be aware of what and who you listen to and spend time with, because influence matters.
During my military time, there wasn’t any social media that could reach around the globe, but influence was still just as impactful. But nothing is more influential to you as you are to yourself. Everything that was chosen was my choice.
Ultimately, we cannot allow ourselves to be misled. Read your word daily, pray daily, and pray for others daily in all environments. It is urgent that you maintain your core values and morals. When we operate in good manners, we should be the influencers, not the other way around.
Since my military career (not right away), I intentionally fellowship with true believers and surround myself with accountability partners (Iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17). My husband is my number one accountability partner. And I try modeling myself as close to Jesus’s character as possible. Jesus is the ultimate leader in all areas of life.
Our character is shaped by those we spend time with, and the music we listen to, the movies we watch, who we allow to pour into our lives, and our environment.
Media and entertainment, including gaming, is more influential than we realize. It is important to understand the content that we consume daily. Is what you are feeding your Spirit, Soul, and Body uplifting you and others, or corrupting good morals?
Not only should we pay attention to what we listen to and watch, but we should also pay attention to who is producing the materials. If you watch and hear something enough times you will begin to believe it. This includes those of you with children and grandchildren, so be aware of what they consume — especially those games.
When I was in the military, I compromised my faith enough times by being entertained by things and people that were not increasing my faith, I stopped listening to my mother’s warning.
Guard your mind, your heart, your body against those things that cause you to compromise.
At times, you must let go of some people, places, and things to maintain your good manners, whether you are in the military, college, high school, organizations, or are hanging out with your best friend.
Listen to the lyrics in the music that you listen to; reflect on how they make you feel and respond to things.
Do the same for the television shows that you watch.
What influencers are you following, and what are they teaching you directly or indirectly?
Influence matters.
There are many people online and in churches teaching false doctrine, which can lead to bad manners. You must be alert to everything you hear and see; you are responsible for your good behavior.
Although the media and entertainment are influential, we are responsible for the media and entertainment that we allow into our lives.
As you review the media and activities that you use to entertain yourself, have you identified anything that compromises your faith, beliefs, or good behavior?
If so, what can you do to remove these things from your life?
While I was in the military, I couldn’t choose my environment, but I could have chosen my choices. This is true for any environment you land in.
The warnings were given to me; ignoring the warnings was a choice. I spent most of my time with those who enjoyed being entertained, and not by the Saints. Discernment wasn’t used, so often my relationships weren’t beneficial; some led me into compromise. My values and beliefs started to be influenced by my surroundings.
Overall, my stay in the military was a lot of fun and adventurous. Many skills were learned. My points are not blaming the military for my corrupt behavior, but since I am a veteran I thought I would use my military journey as an example of how bad behavior can corrupt good manners.
There were some bad behaviors that had already begun in the mind before entering the military, but my environment was quite different at home. The military allowed me to test the corrupt waters, unapologetically.
I am forever grateful for my military experiences because it helped me to understand my character and pushed me closer to a loving God.
Some things that seem like fun and excitement can cause you to feel unclean and lose your peace. This vigorous environment taught me a thing or two. When I stumbled upon 1 Corinthians 15:33 years later, I thought about how easily corrupt communications can disrupt good manners.
Take some time to reflect on what’s influencing your life.
Is your biggest influencer drawing you closer to Christ or leading you away?
Is your environment compromising your belief or increasing your faith, and leading you closer to seeking God and His kingdom?
My mama warned me with those few words many years ago:
“Girl, be careful who you hang out with!”
This was and still is a major biblical warning today.
Our walk with Christ is impacted by our environments — such as the military, various organizations, college, elementary, middle, and high schools; the content we consume such as social media, TV, music, the games we play, friends, family, other relationships, and what we are being taught — all influence our way of thinking and moving through life.
Again, we must connect with relationships that guide us on a path of holiness, wisdom, knowledge, and increase our faith.
I challenge you in your daily devotion to:
Reflect on your friendships and how they impact your faith journey
Uplift and help strengthen others in Christ and their faith journey
Pay attention to your relationships
Ask yourself: Is my relationship with others impacting my faith?
Be mindful of what you feed your spirit, soul, and body; it will determine your character.
Remember 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV):
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
To explore more devotionals and resources, visit Minnitt Just Have Faith.
Until next time,
Just Have Faith and Keep It Moving!
Fanny Minnitt
Understanding Who Jesus Is and What That Means for You
Dec 01, 2025
Mama Warned Me
Nov 03, 2025
End-Time Deception: Are You Surrendered or Being Swayed?
Oct 11, 2025
Are You Rooted In Christ?
Jul 31, 2025
Walking out of Into Pt 1
Apr 01, 2024
Walking out of into Pt II
Apr 01, 2024