Dear Corruption Candidate
Poor college girl dorms with crazy people

November 30, 1995

Dear Becky,

I’m sorry to read of your troubles at the dormitory at school. The situation does not sound good, neither physically nor spiritually. As strong as you may be, and as grounded in the Lord as you may be, this situation will eventually wear you down.

I encountered similar trouble when I worked at the Post Office. All day long I was stuck with some unsavory characters. But rather than me changing them, they changed me. It happened so slowly that I didn't realize it was happening until I looked back and saw my muddy footprints; peace began to slip from my life, my walk began to totter, my language took a nose-dive; I was on the brink of "going postal." Then I found Scriptural evidence of what was happening:

1 Cor. 15:33- "Be not deceived: evil conversations are corrupting kind characters."

What a kind character I was. I always thought that kind characters would influence the evil conversations. I was an ignoramus to think that. The one good apple in the barrel does not cure the rotten ones, but becomes rotten itself. That's what happened to me. And it may be what is happening to you—ever so slowly and subtly.

What is the solution? Scripture offers one, thank God. Mind you, this is not a command that we must obey or else. But it is a good and wise suggestion:

2 Corinthians 6:14-17: Do not become diversely yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what communion has light with darkness? Now what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever? Now what concurrence has a temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, according as God said, that I will be making My home and will be walking in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore, Come out of their midst and be severed, the Lord is saying. And touch not the unclean..."

I always thought this verse was limited to marriage, but there is nothing about marriage in the context. This refers to any person or situation you are stuck with, such as in the workplace—or in a dormitory, as is your case. It's not talking about bumping into someone in a grocery store. The thought here is being yoked, which you certainly are.

The best thing to do in your situation is to "come out of their midst and be severed." God is not asking you to be a hero and put up with this situation. He is telling you here, and in the previous verse, that you haven’t the strength to be a hero, that the human frame is too weak for such heroics, and that the best thing to do is sever yourself from the person or situation causing you the trouble.

You write in your letter, "I will not be intimidated or forced out of my own residence."

I admire your spunk, but there may be too much at stake here. If you leave (and I hope you do), it will not be out of intimidation, but by compliance with a wise Scriptural recommendation.

Be at peace.

I remain yours because of grace,

Martin