March 7, 2016

Surround Yourself With Godly People

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. -- Colossians 2:8

A sweet friend offers this advice: If you’re wearing a white t-shirt and you keep brushing up against a dirty t-shirt, pretty soon your white t-shirt is going to be dirty too.

She tells this as a warning to those who think they can hang out with anyone they choose without the other person’s bad habits influencing them negatively. Of course it will. It’s the slippery slope downward to sin.

Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. We all sin. All of us. But it helps when we surround ourselves with people who are trying to do right instead of surrounding ourselves with people who will entice us to do wrong.

It’s like when you go on a diet. Do you want to hang out with people who will try to convince you to eat cake and ice cream or do you want to be around people who will support and encourage you?

I have been blessed with some wonderful friends. I know the ones who will always tell me the truth. Always. Especially when it’s not what I want to hear. I trust them because their words come from love and the values that we share.

I also have people in my life that I really like. But I keep them at a distance. Why? Because they are quick to make excuses for doing the wrong thing. Cheat on your taxes? Sure, everyone does it. Take extra time off work without reporting it? Why not? They don’t know or care. Take a long look at someone who isn’t your spouse? Who does it hurt?

Do you understand the difference? Surround yourself with people you admire, people who will hold you accountable and people who expect you to hold them accountable. Don’t let yourself be deceived by the sweet talking lies of others.