SCRIPTURE: ""Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself."(Proverbs 22:24-25)
OBSERVATION: I'm sure that you've already noticed this truth played out in many peoples lives, but it is worth repeating. People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Things just naturally begin to rub off.
APPLICATION: The Bible urges us to use caution when it comes to our relationships. I Cor. 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.' " Although the immediate context is unbelievers the principle can still apply to our close relationships.
As I was doing my reading today, the thing that just grabbed me was the phrase
"Do not associate with....
or else
you will learn his ways..."
You will learn his ways
People have a natural tendency to adopt the attitudes of those they spend time with. Things people pick up:
Mind-set
Beliefs
Approaches to challenges
etc
Who are you spend a lot of time with?
Make a list
John Maxwell's mentor Fred Smith says, "Some people are Polluters and they are like smokestacks, belching out dirty smoke all the time. When you 'breath' in their toxins it makes your heart sick."
Some people, on the other hand, are purifiers and they make everything around them better no matter how bad the situation."
What ways are you learning?
Make a list
Do you need to make any changes?
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for reminding me that I need to continually check to make sure my friends are building me up not dragging me down.
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