Proverbs 13:20 says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
The habits of the people you hang around will rub off on you. Because of this, we must be very selective of the company we keep.
When we spend time with people who have a positive attitude and live in accordance with the Word, in the midst of trials, they will encourage us to stand on the Word and receive the promises of God.
When we spend time with people who doubt God's Word, and who haven't made it their final authority, we can be subject their influence. This can only lead to a life of doubt, frustration and defeat.
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33).
You may feel comfortable with some of your unsaved friends and family members, but constantly fellowshipping with them can hinder your spiritual growth. You may find yourself emulating their negative behavior instead of influencing them with your Christ-like behavior.
Just as I want my children to choose friends who are good for them, the Father admonishes us to choose our associations wisely.
Psalm 119:63 says, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." God wants you to be around people who obey Him because He can use them to build you up!
I challenge you to examine your relationships and differentiate those that are healthy from those that are not. Pray and ask the Lord to show you how to sow into and receive from the people in your life so that you can be a blessing to each other.
God doesn't want you to be yoked with unbelievers, but He doesn't want you to condemn or throw them away either. He loves them too!
Pray that your unsaved friends and family members receive Jesus as their Savior. God will show you how to interact with them in a way that draws them to Him, without jeopardizing your salvation. God is faithful!
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