Area of Influence

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 13

Gold Nugget
Verse 20: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

Commentary
It is often found in families that the youngest child is usually the quickest to pick up on things. They will often walk, talk and do other “firsts” earlier than their older siblings. Our environment can have either a detrimental or constructive effect on our lives. The old cliché about being a product of your environment is a powerful truth. Although there are occasions where people aren’t a product of their environment, they are the exception to the rule. Where we were born and raised, how we were raised and who we were raised around was out of our control. Now where we live, how we live and who we live with is our decision and responsibility. Whether we want to believe it or not, our environment still plays a huge role in how we live our lives. I am reminded of Galatians 2:11-13 when Peter (who had walked with Jesus and was leading the charge for the early church) and how he fell away from an important revelation he received from God in Acts 10:9-16. Yet, he allowed the influence of others to cause him to abandon this revelation. He in turn also influenced Barnabas and others to fall away with him.

We have a choice on many aspects of our lives. It can be where you live, where you work and who you associate with. Even when we can’t necessarily do anything about where we live and where we work. We can choose whose house in the neighborhood we visit or maybe where we sit at lunch and who we eat lunch with. I think of the youngest child that learned so much at home. This child benefited from watching the older kids walk, talk, etc. We have the same opportunities. We can choose to associate with mature believers that can walk and talk straighter and clearer than us. As long as we make sure they stay true to the Word, and do not compromise it as Peter did, we can benefit from having an environment that will produce spiritually healthy believers. 

Prayer
Lord, help us to see just how much our environment still plays in our spiritual health and well-being. Then, help us to make any changes that would be needed. Amen


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