Who’s Influencing You?
“Do not be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Be careful who you hang out with. The Bible warns us about hanging out with people who can influence us in a negative way. We all have hung out with people who have influenced us to do things that are ungodly and against God’s commands. We should try to avoid spending too much time with people who do. If we have to spend time with them, then it is important to be careful that they do not influence us to do evil, but that God allows us to influence them in a godly way.
Jesus is the perfect example for us to learn from. He spent time with people like the tax collectors who were considered outcasts and sinners (Matthew 9:10-11) The tax collectors that the Pharisees did not like were viewed as sinners by the things they did. They were known to be thieves by taking more taxes than they should from people. Jesus, a friend of sinners, still socialized with them. On the other hand, we are not like Jesus, and do not know a person’s heart or their intentions. Therefore, we have to turn to the Holy Spirit for help (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). He is there to help us recognize who is a safe person and who is not.
God uses friendships as an instrument to make the community of believers stronger, so it is important for Christians to carefully choose their friends (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Here are some verses from Proverbs that will help us to know what to look for in choosing friends who will influence us in the right way:
“Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer.” – Proverbs 13:20
“Good people take advice from their friends, but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.” – Proverbs 12:26
“Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
You are a friend of sinners. We are Your friends since we expressed our faith in You. It happened to us, and it is because of Jesus. He is a true friend that died for sinners. Help us to be like Him and be a friend to someone that we can influence in a holy way. Please provide us with the wisdom to know who will lead us in a godly direction and who will not. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
