The Fruit That Never Rots
Why, as professing followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, do we believe we can't be influenced by worldliness? Why do we think we know better and can handle it when we read, watch, and spend considerable amount of time consuming trashy influences? If you're answering that you can handle it, then you are a stronger person than I am!
I discovered I can be easily influenced in a negative way if I don't listen to the Holy Spirit warning me to stop listening, reading, watching, or spending time with who or whatever it is trying to negatively worm (sorry not sorry for the apple pun) its way into my heart and mind! Okay, so maybe that's just me. But I know what God says about it:
"Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free from perversity; keep corrupt talk from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
Proverbs 4:23-26
It's the same as saying if one of your friends in your circle lives according to this Proverb and the others are not...well, "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch." OK, so it's not a Bible verse, but it's true! Here's the truth to back me up:
The Bible isn't written to punish and make us miserable, it is written so we can live within God's healthy boundaries that will give us the "abundant life" (John 10:10) His Son Jesus came to earth to give us!
God is all wise and all knowing and He shares His wisdom with everyone who seeks it. "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20)
Hey, ask any wise, loving, attentive parent what they do if they notice a change in their child's behavior -- lying, foul language, becoming rude, and disrespectful. A really attentive parent will discover who their child has been playing with, or what they've been watching or reading, and will put a stop to that ASAP. Right? Who or what is influencing them?
We all will reveal the truth about ourselves, often unwittingly, because we can only fake it for so long. And I've learned this in my journey -- when someone shows us who they really are we need to believe them! Gossip. Lying. Jealousy. Fake. Unreliable. Controlling. Full of Self. Yep. Run, Forrest, Run!
Yes, we have free will to choose the company we keep. No problem. The invitation to choose wisely is there for everyone. But not everyone will say, "Yes, Lord." But...
We will never find ourselves in better Company with Jesus as our Constant Companion! Never.
Polly
"Glorify the LORD with me: let us exalt His Name together."
Psalm 34:3
I pray God will truly Open Our Eyes to the truth of His Word that we might bear much fruit for His Glory.
In the video link below is our daughter, Grace Balint, a worship leader in CA, singing and playing an original copyrighted song, (lyrics and music) by Craig Pitman.
Open My Eyes by Craig Pitman. Sung and played by Grace Balint
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