Evil Communications

[Afterthought]

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" 1 Cor. 15:33

How wide ranging does this apply? It seems to be a general statement that is applied to the situation at Corinth, and given the statement that one should not be deceived, I certainly wouldn't want to limit the statement anymore than it should be, but I'm not sure it is actually an absolute statement because then it would seem pastors could not read the books of heretics in order to refute them. A point of application I have heard of this verse is to watching movies that communicate evil things; even if a person is mature, that person should not be deceived: evil communications do corrupt good manners. That sort of application seems correct on the surface, but when is it fine for a mature person to have evil communicated to oneself and when is it not, since it seems there are times when it is fine (as seen above; other examples could be reading unbelievers' literature or philosophy)?

 

[VictorBravo]

The context is about doctrine, particularly about the Resurrection. He's saying, "Do not allow yourself to be deceived by people teaching false things."

According to Gill, the quote is from a Greek poet, Menander, “showing how dangerous is the conversation of evil men, and what an influence bad principles communicated and imbibed, have on the lives and practices of men.”

I think you can take his statement as an exhortation to watch out for false and worldly teachers or companions who would lead you from the Truth.

 

[Afterthought]

Thank you; that is helpful.