“If your best friends are the first people you
contact to get drunk and go out, but NOT among the first people you contact
when you need prayer warriors, then you need New Best Friends”
Our
lives are drastically influenced by the friends we have and the company we
keep. Friends hold, unconsciously and consciously, a significant amount of
influence in the decisions we make throughout our lives. Along with family,
friends can shape our behaviors, how we act, and sometimes what we believe.
Some can have good influences on us whereas others can affect our lives in the
wrong way. This is why the friends you keep are just as important and the
people you do not hang around with.
Having friends who do not have the same beliefs,
as you can be dangerous in your growth as a Christian. We are cautioned
numerous times to steer clear of “friends” who may lead us astray. The Bible
says, “Don’t be deceived: bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians
15:33), and “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion
of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). We are not to associate with
people who entice us to do wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship”
may seem to be. By entertaining individuals who are bad company, you are
risking the chance of picking up their negative qualities and habits. Those who
“rush to sin” should be avoided. The old phrase “if you hang with dogs, you
will catch fleas” is very accurate.
Some
tend to argue that instead of unrighteous friends bringing them down, they are
helping their unrighteous companions up. While in some cases this kind of
relationship does workout, I warn that it is much harder to pull someone deep
in sin up, than it is for them to bring you down. Imagine standing in a chair and trying to
bring someone up to your level. It is easier for them to pull you down to the
ground than it is for you to pull them up. They have the force of the floor
helping them. That is the struggle we face. More than likely, you have
struggled with sin longer than you have been saved. If you are not rock solid
in your faith and beliefs, it is hard to go against someone with years of
expertise and practice in sin. They have the sturdiness of the ground (years of
experience with sin) to help pull you down. In order to pull someone up, make
sure your chair, a.k.a your faith, is bolted to the ground and cannot be
shaken.
Having true
friends are vital to our growth and maturity as Christians. All of us are more
consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Friends
share our burdens, share our joys, counsel us, and are our confidants. As Rick
Warren once stated, “You need more than the bible to grow, you need other
believers. We grow faster and stronger by learning from each other and being
accountable to each other” (The Purpose Driven Life). God made humans
relational beings. Not only does He want us to be in a relationship with Him,
He wants us to have true relationships with other believers. We all need
sincere friends to help us get through this perplexed world. So begin to think
about the people in your life, and get your team in order. Surround yourself
with people that will help you to your destiny, not hinder it. Surround
yourself with Kingdom People! “Keep Them Squares Up Out Your Circle”
As you
choose your inner circle I leave you with Romans 15:5 – “May God, who gives
this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each
other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”
Peace,
Grace, and Blessings
T.C.
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