I have heard it said, “You become who you run with, and they become you.” Obviously you don’t actually become that other person, but when we spend lots of time with someone, their lingo, attitudes, and perspective influence ours. It is very important, therefore, to manage who we spend our time with, because, positive or negative, they are influencing and changing us.
The Bible talks about this in Exodus 23:33, where God tells the Israelites, “Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.” Proverbs 24:1, says “Don’t envy godless men; don’t even enjoy their company.”
The interesting thing is that in modern times with television, podcasts, youtube, and other connections, our circle of people influencing us does not just consist of the people we physically spend time with. We can be just as influenced by people we follow on social media, television, and the like; so we need to be careful who we are “running with” even in our “virtual circle”
Dear Lord, help us have the courage to remove those who are negative influences from our circle, and when that is not possible, help us be the positive influence that raises the group to a higher level of faithfulness to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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This mornings reading was truly a blessing and confirmation as to things I’ve been praying about. Thank you for being an obedient servant that God has called you to be by sharing with us each and every day. May God continue to bless you.
Amen! But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, covetous, or an idolater, or a reviled, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one. I Corinthians 5:11 Amen!
Know anyone like this?
There is no place for anyone who practices these corruptions in the body of believers. In verse 13 Paul goes on to say, ”Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”
At one time this verse would only apply to people but now it could apply to this device we use to type our responses.
Lord, The world is constantly changing but You never change. Amen! Your word never changes. Amen! Our opinions, what we think do not matter if they differ from what Your word says. You are always right. God help us, Your people, know this and believe it. Lord whatever in our life that might be going on where we struggle, may we fall to our knees, repent and give that struggle to You Oh Lord the author and finisher of our faith. Lord be a consuming fire in our lives while we still have breath and may Your name be glorified thru us in the name above every name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Gotta tell you, Quisto, the first thing that came to my mind was how Muslims influence regions and countries they move to and grow in. Perhaps it’s the background we both share, but if you look at England and France, it’s very real.