One day, my best friend, Celia, called me to say she’d gotten a new blouse.
She laughed when she learned that I’d been shopping and had also bought a new blouse the day before.
We agreed to both wear our new blouses to church the next day. Imagine our surprise when we both showed up wearing the exact same blouse! Through our friendship, we have found we have both influenced each other in many things.
One of the things we’ve always loved sharing together is what the Lord is doing in our hearts and in our families as we walk together in Christ. Relationships are very important to God. It is important that I choose my closest friends carefully.
It is human nature to “pick up” certain characteristics we are constantly exposed to. Scripture warns about the influence that friends can have on my life. Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
It’s important that I be truthful with my self as I look at my friendships. The influence of a friend can build or destroy my relationship with Jesus. That’s why it’s so important that my closest friends be with me in Christ.
When I’m consistent with my quiet time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading, I have a standard for my relationships. Do my friends encourage me to be in God’s Word, faithful in church or does fellowship with them discourage me from the things of God?
Proverbs 12:26 “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Prayer: Father, help me to choose my close friends wisely. I want to walk together being a good influence and being influenced by good. Teach us to pray and minister together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Reference:
Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”