Have
you ever noticed the more you hang around people the more you begin to
speak like them? Or even begin to desire the same things as they do? With the holidays
just passing I’ve noticed my desires shifting and not in the most godly way. The
influence of others is so prevalent and the more time you spend with a
person the more likely you’ll start to become like them. Think about it. Think back
to a time where you were desiring more of what the world offers…who were you
spend a lot of time with? Then, think back to a time where you were on
point with God…who were you hanging out with a lot? I know for me that this is
so true in my life.
With
celebrating the holidays these past few weeks where I’ve been spending more
time with people I normally don’t hang out with much it has really opened my
eyes to Proverbs 13:20. What and who we place ourselves around has a greater
impact on us than we may initially recognize. After many gatherings and events
where I was placing myself around people I wouldn’t call a godly influence I began
desiring worldly things more than things of Christ. The worldly desires such as
money, partying, and sexual immorality became more important for me to fulfill
than my godly characteristics. The more time I spent with the “unwise” the more
my desires grew for such things.
[Disclaimer:
I’m not saying that by hanging out with certain people caused me to sway away
from my walk with God but my time spent with them definitely was an ingredient that helped influence my
attitude. I dropped my guard (reading the Bible every day) and made a choice
to accept the influential offers.]
Although,
this could have ended disastrously God was near even when I was not near to Him
and pursuing Him. He knew exactly what I needed to hear. As I swung back into
my daily routine because we all know that holidays seem to kick us off on an ultra-lazy
or supersonic-busy mode, I was able to recognize the truth and why I was
feeling down and out. I made the decision to sit and listen for God. As I did
this He revealed Proverbs 13:20 to me. Just that little time with God shows me
how powerful His influence is on my life and how much more powerful it can be
when I place His Word over me as protection during these busy times with “unwise”
people.
So, will
you spend more time with people who will drag you down or will you choose to
spend more time with people who can build you up, creating in you wise desires?
It’s
a choice. You have to make it.
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