Do Not Be Deceived: Bad Company Corrupts (Dr. Muthoni Omukhango with Patrick Solomon, Kenya)

Did I ever tell you how I, a tongue-speaking, prophecy-declaring, Bible-school student of one year, found myself uttering a curse word? Yes, take your seat, even the holier-than-thou crowd, and let me confess this one.

This story, my friends, is aptly titled: Do Not Be Deceived, Bad Company Corrupts.

Two decades ago, I was fresh into Bible school, recovering from a string of breakups and life mess-ups. Let’s just say I was at a point where I needed God desperately—like a lifeguard for a drowning swimmer.

In my quest for spiritual growth, I somehow acquired a borrowed computer to help with schoolwork. It wasn’t top-notch, but it worked for assignments. Of course, as anyone with a new gadget knows, “schoolwork” soon becomes “watching-watching” (you know, just exploring). A friend lent me a series to pass the time. For the most part, it was fine, but there was one glaring issue: the strong language and cursing.

The Holy Spirit nudged me gently—“This language is part of the company you’re keeping.” Did I listen? Nope. I convinced myself that I could focus on the plot and ignore the words. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I thought I could outsmart the Holy Ghost. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t.

One fine day, as I was heading home from school, I came across someone I owed money. In a moment of shock and panic, I let out the loudest, clearest curse word you could imagine. My sister, Kainos, and my daughter, Abiah, froze in sheer horror.

“Mum! Did you just…?!”
Kainos looked at me like I’d just slapped the Pope. Abiah’s eyes were wide enough to hold a full moon.

Now, the bigger shock wasn’t even that I had met the person. It was the undeniable question: Where had the curse word come from?

Here I was—a Bible-school-going, Spirit-filled, prophesying woman of God—and yet, out of my mouth came words I didn’t even know I had.

I apologized profusely to my family, went straight home, and deleted the series faster than you could say “sanctification.” That was the day I learned firsthand what the Bible meant when it said:

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

It’s not just about friends who lead you astray. In today’s world, your company includes the movies you watch, the YouTube influencers you follow, the games you play online, and the music you listen to. You can’t consume the wrong things and expect to remain the same.

Start With the Man in the Mirror

In a world where moral decay seems to be the daily headline, it’s easy—so easy—to point fingers at “them.” You know, those people. But here’s a fun experiment: go ahead, point that finger outward, but do it in front of a mirror. See how quickly “them” becomes “me”?

Before the moral tragedies hit the evening news, they started somewhere quieter—our hearts, our minds, and yes, our cozy little living rooms. Long before society got a whiff of it, things were brewing in the privacy of homes, offices, and yes, the internet history tab.

Let’s talk about our children for a moment. By the time you see them walking down the street looking like they’re auditioning for Adam and Eve: The Pre-Fall Dress Edition, the truth is, they’ve already been keeping some shady company. And where, you ask? In their bedrooms, where those screens light up their faces more often than the Word of God does.

And here’s the kicker: a shocking number of teenagers (and let’s not forget the young adults and old-us alike) have been engaging in fornication—not physically, but mentally—long before they even meet the opposite gender. It’s like they’re in a training camp for sin, and the Wi-Fi is their coach.

Now, before we clutch our pearls too tightly, let’s pause. This isn’t about them. It’s about us. It’s time for some good old-fashioned introspection. Let’s face it: we’ve all been there—making excuses for the shows we watch, the conversations we entertain, and the clicks we click. The rot doesn’t start “out there.” It starts here, in our hearts.

So today, let’s not nudge our neighbour or tag our friends in this post. This one is for me, for you, and for every mirror we dare to stand in front of. Because if we don’t check ourselves, we’ll find that pointing fingers only leaves us with three fingers pointing right back.

Subscribe to our Newsletter today and stay connected! Receive inspiring articles, exclusive book selections, and the latest updates in Africa's book industry delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community—your subscription means the world to us!

So, here’s my lessons today from this experience:

  1. The Influence of What We Consume

Whether it’s the company we keep, the media we consume, or the habits we cultivate, the truth is that influence is inevitable. I learned this the hard way when I thought I could “filter out” the cursing in the series I watched. Turns out, the mind is not a sieve but a sponge. What goes in will eventually come out—often at the most inopportune moment. Guarding what enters your mind is not just wise; it’s biblical: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

  1. Accountability Starts with Me

It’s easy to blame external sources—society, media, or even our kids’ peers—for moral failures. But let’s be real: transformation begins with introspection. Standing in front of the mirror and acknowledging my own compromises was humbling, but necessary. Before we can guide others or criticize the world, we must first be willing to clean our own house. Jesus put it plainly: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3).

  1. The Power of Quick Repentance and Obedience

When I realized my mistake, I didn’t sit around justifying it or wallowing in guilt. I acted immediately, deleting the series and repenting before God. Delayed obedience is disobedience. The quicker we address our sins, the faster we experience the cleansing and renewal of God’s grace. As King David prayed, so should we: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

These lessons remind me daily that the fight for holiness is ongoing, but God’s grace is ever sufficient to help us stand firm. Let’s choose our company—and our content—wisely.

Subscribe to our Newsletter today and stay connected! Receive inspiring articles, exclusive book selections, and the latest updates in Africa's book industry delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community—your subscription means the world to us!

So, What’s the Company You’re Keeping?

To cleanse and shape our lives, we must replace the noise of the world with the voice of God. And that brings me to the book in my hand today:

“Praying the Word of God” by Patrick Solomon

This isn’t just a book; it’s a weapon—a spiritual guide that helps you combat worldly influences by anchoring yourself in Scripture. The book offers practical ways to align your thoughts, words, and prayers with God’s Word. It’s about saturating your life with His truths so that when challenges (or curse words) try to rise up, His Word is what comes out instead.

For Patrick Solomon, prayer is like digging for a precious treasure—it can either be an exhausting task that leads to giving up or an enjoyable and fulfilling process. What often makes prayer feel burdensome is uncertainty—being unsure about how to pray for a specific season or situation in life, or doubting whether one has prayed “enough.”

Patrick openly shares that he, too, struggled with this dilemma for a long time. This struggle ignited in him a deep quest to understand the essence of prayer. His journey led him to discover that the Word of God holds the key to effective prayer.

Through the guidance of Scripture, Patrick realised that prayer is not merely about presenting requests or fulfilling a spiritual duty. Instead, it is a divine conversation shaped and empowered by the truths in God’s Word. As believers embark on the journey of praying according to Scripture, they learn why prayer is essential, what to pray for, how to pray, and the depth of this sacred practice.

Patrick’s message is simple yet profound: praying the Word of God transforms prayer from a tiresome chore into a powerful and joyful experience, unlocking treasures of wisdom, peace, and divine connection.

This book is all about living the Word, speaking it, and letting it shape the company you keep in your mind, heart, and home.

So, I ask you again: What company are you keeping today? If you want to stand strong against life’s temptations and align yourself with God’s will, start by immersing yourself in His Word.

Because trust me, you don’t want to end up like me on that day—caught off guard, cursing or something worse, and asking yourself, “What on earth just happened?” Let’s be intentional about the company we keep.

Meet the Author

Excerpt from: Patrick Solomon Had Come to the End of His Life—God Had to Speak, and He Did

Patrick Solomon’s life had reached a breaking point. Burdened by the weight of unfulfilled dreams and overwhelming challenges, he stood at the edge, questioning the purpose of his existence. In this moment of despair, when his strength had utterly failed him, God intervened.

The voice of God pierced through the silence of his turmoil, offering clarity and direction. What seemed like an end was, in truth, a beginning—a divine reset. With unmistakable precision, God led Patrick toward a path of restoration and hope, redefining his purpose in alignment with His will.

This inspiring testimony serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness, even in our darkest moments. Patrick’s story is not just one of survival but of transformation through surrender to the Creator who never stops pursuing His children.

To read the full article and discover how Patrick’s life was forever changed, visit African Christian Authors Book Award-ACABA.

With Christian Literature Communications – CLC Kenya

With Christian Literature Communications – CLC Kenya

African Christian Authors Book Award – ACABA

CLC Kids & Teens

Patrick Omukhango

Jackline Ingasian

https://kenyaclc.org/humour-meets-storytelling-with-dr-muthoni-omukhango/?v=a2e1f137298d

Subscribe for wholesome content!

Leave a reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

×