Have you ever found yourself with a group of folks that were into things that you just did not do?
Perhaps you felt like you needed to go along with the crowd? Perhaps you felt like they would give you a hard time if you did not go along with them?
From my heart to yours, saying no when the crowd wants you to do what you should not do is a lot better in the long run. Often those folks will respect that answer. Sometimes they won’t. When they don’t, maybe it’s because they are in it for themselves. Maybe they even gain monetarily by encouraging you to do something you do not want to do.
Either way, if you find yourself with folks that are into doing things that you are not comfortable doing, you need to find some new friends. You are to witness to these, but you need to spend time with like minded believers who will help you grow closer to God, not pull you away.
Do not let them influence you, and do not believe you can change their minds. Those who are not saved will not understand the saving faith you have in Jesus unless God reveals it to them.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:11-16
God wants a relationship with you. Often those friends that seem important to you at the moment won’t even be around in 6 months or a year. Your loyalty belongs to Jesus.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23
When what Jesus would have you do is not what your friends want you to do, whom will you choose?
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Today’s challenge is to remember who you are. If you are saved, you are a child of God. Act from that perspective. God’s light, God’s Word, has shown you the way. Out of His love for you He paid your debt through the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son.