November 13, 2023 -- Proverbs 13:20 -- Influencers

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 ESV

Such a simple proverb. Yet the truth of it is easily ignored. There are many police officers who started a career in policing stating something to the effect that they want to be a force for good in their community. However, after years of interacting with criminals and seeing injustice within their own ranks, begin to act in ways that are criminal. Why? Because they have been spending so much time focused on the deeds of the wicked and on the words of the wayward that their own thinking becomes twisted. Unless significant time with spent with the wise, such men and women will succumb to overwhelming influence of evil.

Our world is not neutral. Our own souls are bent on evil. That is the significant teaching of Genesis 3. Adam and Eve chose evil over good. All of us have hearts out of alignment with God. Institutions which should be governing with justice are staffed by men and women whose hearts are in rebellion against God. There is a great and urgent need for men and women to spend time among the wise. Until one is captured by the Spirit and brought to Jesus and His reconciling blook, our wisest thoughts are foolishness.

Please note I am not picking on police officers. There are many Christians who claim to be wise and just, but suffer harm because their own spiritual walk was so weak that the stronger will of sinners overcame them and they were compromised in their faith. Jude reminds believers to show mercy to sinners but to moderate this with fear (Jude 23), to that the Christian will not become stained with the sins of the very people they are trying to help.

Who in your life is wise? Who is an inspiration? Whose walk with God motivates you to greater acts of love and service to the Living God? Follow that person. Ask to be mentored by that person. Grow in grace with that person. Then pray that you will be an influence for good in the life of someone who needs an example of what Christ-likeness is in real life. When you teach others the way of Jesus, you are confirmed in true righteousness, holiness and knowledge.

Blessed are You, Father in heaven, for by Your Spirit You are able to keep believers from stumbling and to present them in Christ blameless before the presence of Your glory. To You, O God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

https://youtu.be/rZCbQFTswrs?si=-6QD5h4jeNjqSTGe “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord”

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