Are your friends a blessing or a curse?

September 24, 2009

Are your friends a blessing or a curse?

Psalm 101

Jim Sullivan

Central Truth

Those you associate with can influence the path your life will take. Stay far from evil and those who want to lead you astray. Instead, put your identity in the only person who does not lead to a dead end—Jesus Christ.

I will favor the honest people of the land,
and allow them to live with me.
Those who walk in the way of integrity will attend me.
(Psalm 101:6)

I Will Walk with Integrity

A Psalm of David.

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
    to you, O LORD, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
    Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
    within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes
    anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the LORD.

How many times do we hear people say, “He/she just got mixed up in the wrong crowd and (fill in the blank) happened?” I know I have done some stupid things in my life that I regret. It is so easy to be pressured by peers co-workers, or boyfriend/girlfriend if your faith, thoughts, words, and actions are not grounded in Christ.
This psalm calls us to a life that pushes evil away (verse 4). David, the author, speaks from experience. He has tried the alternative, and he knows it is a dead end. We have all tested evil in our lives, and we learn that it does not satisfy us for long. (Proverbs 13:25)

Take David's (and God's) advice, and choose wisely the people that you allow to influence your life. There are people who are honest (the NIV calls them "blameless") and those who are deceitful (verses 6-7), but keep in mind that we are not blameless on our own. Our faith in Christ makes us blameless. Otherwise we, too, can be deceitful and foolish. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise." Who are you listening to, those who are trusting in themselves or those who have trusted in Christ?

I feel God puts us through challenges so He can use us to teach others how to work through similar challenges. Life is way too short to make all the mistakes on your own, but you will still make plenty and have the chance to learn from others. Surround yourself with believers who are able to give wise counsel. And remember, Jesus Christ loves and accepts you right where you are, no matter your past. But the Bible calls us to live by faith in Christ. (Galatians 2:20)

1. Are you in community with other believers in Jesus Christ?

2. Are you in community with people who are pushing you towards Jesus Christ? If not, are they pushing you away from Christ?

3. Do you know any mature believers who can give you sound advice on a regular basis?