Bible teacher and best selling author Joyce Meyer speaks of people 'infecting' you instead of you 'affecting' them. It is our job to be in the world but not 'of the world". Each of us has to be God's 'saltshaker' spreading flavor throughout the world. But it is easy to get sucked in to wrong activities too if you do not have your guard up. We are the 'salt of the earth'. (See Matthew 5:13). Are you 'flavoring' the world for Christ or is the world tricking you in to a moral slide downhill?
The Bible tells us that 'bad company corrupts morals'(See 1 Corinthians 15:33). It further states that "a companion of fools comes to ruin." (See Proverbs 13:20). It only takes one bad friend to drag someone off course. We know basically what is right and wrong by following God's word so choose the friends in life who will do things to build you up and glorify the Lord and not those who try to get you into bad situations that lead you down the wrong path. Proverbs 22:24 tells us to "Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man." Now this does not mean to stay in a 'holy huddle' and never reach out to others but it simply says to be on guard lest you fall into the wrong activities. 2 Peter 3:17 says "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position."
The word of God also warns us about hanging around tale bearers or gossips. Now if we are not careful it is easy to get caught up in this. There is a saying, " If you do not have anything good to say then do not say anything at all." Pretty good advice. Proverbs 20:19 says "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Colossians 4:6 says "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." If you are around gossips too much you may be guilty of talking about others too.
It is important to not hate anyone and to be kind to people, but to be led astray and sucked into the wrong kind of activities can lead you away from the Lord. In other words I do not think it would be a good idea to say you are going to a strip club to 'witness' when in fact you may be caused to lust by being in there. You get the point. Watch, pray, and guard yourself lest you fall into temptation. (See Matthew 26:41). 1 Corinthians 10:12 says "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" Finally I will end with Galatians 6:1 which is a warning and it says "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." So do not think it can not happen to you.
PRAYER: Father I do pray that you will keep me alert and help me to love others, but help me to discern good from evil and not get caught up in activities that will hurt the name of Christ or me.In Jesus Name. Amen.
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