“Evil communications corrupt good manners” is a commonly used statement when a word of advice is issued.
The usage of the sentence often occurs with reference to a group of bad company or friends who breed bad influence.
It’s worth noting that its root comes from scripture with reference to brother Paul, and while we look at it more extensively, I’d like to know if you’ve checked out my article titled, Christ Has Redeemed Us From The Curse Of The Law.
Where in the Bible does it say Evil Communication Corrupts Good Manners?
There’s just one passage of scripture where the line “Evil communications corrupt good manners” is mentioned, with exact words from the King James Version of the Bible.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Other translations, like WEB, would say, “Don’t be deceived! ‘Evil companionships corrupt good morals.’”
While this verse of scripture has been quoted many times on different occasions, it’s important to understand the main reason why brother Paul made the statement. Or don’t you think so?
Be Not Deceived
The book of 1 Corinthians 15:33 begins with “Be not deceived” or “Do not be deceived,” depending on which translation you’re reading from, but the warning is the same. It means instructively that you shouldn’t be led astray.
When looked at with the emphasis placed, one would assume a position of responsibility to be fully aware of the presence of deceit.
In that context, the writer of the letter was dealing with a specific issue of which he needed people to be fully aware. Then he went further to say that Evil communication corrupts good manners.
Evil Communication Corrupt Good Manners Explained
The first thing I would expect anyone to ask at this point is, “What did Paul mean by evil communications corrupting good manners?” Don’t be surprised if I say it’s not far from what you may be thinking, but let’s look at it from the top.
Brother Paul was dealing with a company and communication that were not right but evil by definition.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 WEB, He said, “Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,
by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.”
Now, Paul was making emphatic statements to proclaim that Christ had risen from the dead, to disclaim those who were claiming that There was no resurrection from the dead.
“Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised.
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.
Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised.
For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:12–17 WEB
While there are many people today who say there is no resurrection of the dead, The Believers Today should know that the core of our faith is the resurrection of Christ. If He has risen, we who believe in Him will surely rise.
Within and without the circle of Christianity are people with beliefs and ideologies that are contrary to faith in Christ.
Our stability is key, and giving heed to any knowledge that denies the power of God in Christ, will lead to a lot of inconsistencies among our members.
Therefore, “Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34 WEB).
Let me emphasize that in the book of 1 Corinthians 15, brother Paul was addressing the people basically on the resurrection, the victory over sin and death by Christ Jesus. Debunking the idea that there is no resurrection from the dead, he warned against such communications, noting the damage that comes with them.
He concluded that section by saying, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 WEB
How To Avoid Evil Communication
There could be dos and don’ts to avoid evil communications, but it is important to understand that Paul wasn’t dealing with questions but wrong teachings or companies that influence people with knowledge that is destitute of the truth.
All in all, abstinence is always the best action. Here are three ways you can avoid evil communication:
1. By not allowing them.
2. By not accommodating them.
3. By not entertaining them.
Instead, acknowledge every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.
While I conclude with Ephesians 4:29 KJV, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
