20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Everyone functions by or under an influence. Every action is produced or motivated by an influence. Influence is the force that drives everything we do; it impacts on our perspectives and determines the direction of our lives. Influence determines your sense of judgement. Your vision is as clear as the influence you are under and your understanding is determined by the influence by which you are inspired. Do you know that your company or companionship has an influence on you? Our opening Scripture reveals this very clearly, that the man that walks with the wise will be wise. The values of your circle of influence will eventually rub off on you. Therefore, as a believer, you shouldn’t have an unbeliever as your best friend. Why? If you hang around unbelievers long enough, you will start thinking like them. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 says to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship has light and darkness? The Word calls the child of God, light and the unbeliever, darkness; it further says “what concord has Christ with Belial?” You are born of God and the seed of God is in you. You are light and you shouldn’t be inspired by darkness. The believer is light, Jesus said you are the light of this world, the influencer not the influenced; you are meant to use every God-given influence and platform to change your world for God, to exert kingdom influence on the earth.
1 John 5:19 expressly reveals who we are: “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” You are of God (1 John 4:4), born of God to rule and reign on earth, exerting kingdom influence. However, most times we don’t choose the influence we want to come under directly, but when you choose your friends, you have indirectly determined the influence that will rule you. Therefore, by choosing your companionship, you have chosen the influence under which you must function. If you desire the right influence in your life, choose the right friends. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” It is self-deceit or self-delusion to believe that your friends will not influence you. Be not deceived, wrong association corrupts good manners. Make up your mind not to allow anything that is not in line with God’s purpose into your sphere of influence. Choose your influence wisely.
My Solid Front (Confession):
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that the wisdom of God is working in me and I choose my friends wisely; therefore, I will not company with fools! Amen!
Further Meditation:
Proverbs 27:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.