First, to be choosy about who you hang out with. Be sure to spend time with friends who are encouraging, uplifting and make wise choices. Who you spend time with will certainly affect your behavior. If you hang around people who are negative, argumentative, gossipy, bossy or unsupportive, it can be influential in your own relationships. Yes, you can be the shining light for them, but you want to be careful they aren't bringing you down instead. And second, that there truly was a lying demon at work doing some whispering and persuading to try to get Daddy and I pick at one another. We know this because the arguments were ridiculous, unfounded and such a waste of time. It was the only explanation that made sense. When you look at situations from a spiritual perspective, you can see it from a more holy and wise place. Like our post on July 6 about our battles against the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12), we knew this situation was of that ilk. It just had an evil feel about it.
So first examine yourself. What is your demeanor? Are you joyful? Are you encouraging? Are you empathetic? Are you kind? If you can answer those questions positively, then take a look at the people you are spending the majority of your time with. Ask those same questions of them. If you get negatives about any of those, perhaps you needn't spend as much time with them. You can, of course, start praying for them that their attitude change. The Bible has many verses about selecting companionship carefully. Proverbs 12:26 says, "The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray." Proverbs 13:20 says, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 22:24-25 say, "Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads,or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare." 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good character.'”
The
righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads
them astray. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Choosing-Friends#sthash.NvfWhpNU.dpuf
The
righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads
them astray. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Choosing-Friends#sthash.NvfWhpNU.dpuf
The
righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads
them astray. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Choosing-Friends#sthash.NvfWhpNU.dpuf
The
righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads
them astray. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Choosing-Friends#sthash.NvfWhpNU.dpuf
The
righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads
them astray. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Choosing-Friends#sthash.NvfWhpNU.dpuf
Surround yourself with high caliber people. And even better, people who love Jesus Christ and are obedient to His Word. People who are happily married and with good communications skills. People who speak well of their spouse or significant other. People who love first. Because just as the ugly is infectious, so is the beautiful. And that makes our relationships so much more blessed.
Discussion: Share a time when the attitude of someone you were spending time -whether good or bad - with rubbed off on you. Are there any friends you spend time with who are not beneficial to your emotional well being?
Prayer: Lord we thank You for the sweet friendships in our lives. Those who love us and whose attitudes are examples of goodness. We pray we will be picky about who we spend too much time with that they will be encouraging to us as we are to them. In Christ we pray, Amen.
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