Have you ever hung out with a crowd of people that you thought was the "wrong crowd"? People, who when you hung out with them, you found yourself doing things that you didn't want to?
Probably most of us have experienced this at some point in our lives. Because we were made to live in community, it is reasonable that the people around us can have influence on us. This is why God warns us in the Bible to be careful of where and with who we spend our time. Verse 4 and 5 remind us of this again, "Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, "Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God is ready to judge her for her evil deeds." This passage is warning God's children to stay away from Babylon (the place where evil rules from during the end times) because God knows that those who live in the midst of evil and immorality will join in. This will lead to getting the same discipline and consequences that those who chose the world will get.
It can be a challenge to stay away from bad environments and people. Sometimes we think that we can effect change in that person or place and we connect ourselves with the best of intentions, but we must remember that just as that environment and person are being influenced by us, we are also being influenced by it. The key here is to protect yourself by keeping yourself surrounded by an environment and people who will push you forward in positive ways on your journey of life. We need to reach out to other people and environments, but not get so caught up in them that we lose our sight of the holiness that God gave us.
P.S. My apologies for missing yesterday. I read this chapter then, but wasn't sure what direction God wanted me to go with it and then the day got away from me. Thank you for your patience!
No comments:
Post a Comment