I once read a story about a man who was an alcoholic.  He asked forgiveness and then proceeded to park his car outside the bar.  You guessed it.  He was involved once more with drinking.

If we choose to be a companion to evil and running with those who love the world, it won’t be long before we are involved with the world as well.  Like begets like, and we gravitate toward those of like mind.

“Our friends and associates write their names in our guest books, but they do more – they make imprints on our heart.

Many a tearful parent has said, ‘Oh, if my children had not gotten with the wrong crowd!’”        ~ Brownlow

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”  (I Corinthians 15:33)

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient:  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”    (Romans 1: 28-32

When our son was a little boy, he had some special friends.  One of them lived on a little acreage where happy children could play in the great outdoors.  Another special attraction this friend had was some goats and a little wagon for the goats to pull.

There were times when the goats chose to be unruly and butted them down, but each time those boys got back up.  What a lesson!  Life has its blows, jolts and kicks that flatten us; but as long as we can get back up, we’re still in the struggle and still in reach of victory.

One day our son came home smelling like a goat – and that’s not a savory odor.  I jokingly said, “Son, if you run with the goats you’ll smell like a goat.”  He was too young then to comprehend the full import of those words.  Later he learned and heeded the message.  Now, with two sons of his own, he understands even more fully the power of association and influence.

Jesus truly wants us to learn this lesson on influence.  I know He does.  For He told us what a little leaven could do to three measures of meal.

“Another parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and id in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
(Matthew 13:33)

“Since we are all creatures of influence, there is protection and elevation in associating with righteous, honorable people.  Furthermore, in most instances the very company in which you are apt to improve the most will be the least expensive.”      ~ Leroy Brownlow

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”     ~ Rohn

Eileen Light