Proverbs Chapter 12

I raised my hand in a church service in Rockford, IL, asked God to forgive my sins, and declared that I wanted to put my trust in Him. Shortly after that moment, I went back to Hollywood where I lived at the time. My newfound faith lasted three weeks before I was back in a bar with my party friends, doing exactly what I did before I gave my life to God. That night, I went home with a strange girl and almost overdosed on drugs. Needless to say, my pursuit of God came to a screeching halt. 

The next day, I felt guilty, unworthy, and completely hypocritical. I decided that I would give up on the whole “God thing” all together. I was done. But, I didn’t need know that I needed God more than ever. Sure, I loved my friends and they loved me, but none of them were interested in pursuing God. Their influence nearly stole away my desire for God altogether. I was at a crossroad.

I mustered up some courage, re-committed my life to God, and purposefully got involved in a church, small group, and God honoring relationships. And, I can tell you from first hand experience that it changed everything. My relationships pushed me closer to God instead of further away. 

The people that are really close to you in your life will either push you toward God or pull you away from Him. There are no neutral friendships, which is why Proverbs12 says:

Proverbs 12:26, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Today, take an inventory of the relationships in your own life. Do you need to distance yourself from the wrong people? Do you need to start building friendships with the right people? If so, what EXACTLY are you going to do about it? Ask God for wisdom and strength to do exactly what He’s leading you to do. 

Remember, your future is at stake. Choose your friends very carefully.

Have a great day!

Shawn