Watch out for people who cause divisions
and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been
taught. Stay away from them. Romans 16:17 NLT
“Don’t drink or chew or hang around with those who do.”
Mom and Dad reared me in a Christian home with a very
strict—almost legalistic—view of right and wrong. Smoking was one of the
questionable activities. My parents told me not to, but more so for the health
concerns than for the sinful nature of it. Drinking and drugs, on the other
hand, stood out as sinful acts. And sex before marriage? Fornication, Dad
called it. Out, too.
Sunday was an issue as well. Other than Mom cooking—most of
which she did on Saturday night—no work took place on this sacred day. No
shopping—which wasn’t a problem at that time since nothing but drug stores and
gas stations were open. No working, no sports, no washing clothes, no working
in the yard, no hanging pictures. Sunday was church day.
And, of course, I shouldn’t hang around with anyone who did
any of these things or who came from families where parents did them. Like the
sign that reads, “Wet paint. Don’t touch,” all the don’ts made me want to do.
Looking back, my life seemed more about what I couldn’t do
than what I could do. Later, I realized the need existed for the don’t rules.
Quite a few of them dot the pages of the Bible, including Paul’s admonition to
the Roman Christians to avoid those who cause divisions and teach false
doctrine.
Bad company carries the very real possibility of corrupting
good morals. Yet Jesus tells us to be light to the world, which can’t happen if
I don't stay away from those who are doing the don’ts. Peer pressure taxes even the
best of believers, and it doesn’t evaporate when we graduate from high school
or college.
Staying away yet influencing takes walking a fine line, and
it requires spiritual fortitude and godly wisdom. All of which God is more than
happy to impart when we ask and do our part. The spiritual acts of Bible study,
prayer, and fellowship with other believers hone our spiritual skills so we
can influence without being influenced.
Paul and Jesus’ command isn’t contradictory, just issued in
different contexts. God will give you the power to stay away when needed and to
get involved when He wants you. Ask Him for wisdom. He's more than happy to
give it.
Prayer: Father, give us the wisdom to know when and when not
to stay away.
Tweetable: Are you staying away from bad company?
Yes, those don't seem to get in the way when we're younger but they really are there for a reason. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteI was one of those lucky children who was raised per Dr Spock.(If you think star trek then you are from a later generation.) It was actually no luck and added to that were other family dynamics that were not the best. I did, finally, overcome the problems of permissiveness but I often wonder what life would have been like if I did not have those burdens and instead had simple rules and enforcement. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWe are judged by the company we keep. I was raised with a clear sign of what is right and wrong. I'm happy about that.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous Thankful Thursday. ♥
I think that the closer we get to God and to the Father's heart and the more we learn and grow in the faith, the less we focus on the "do's and don'ts" in and of themselves. As we continue to gain a deeper understanding of who Christ is, our focus begins to shift away from ourselves as we begin to learn to listen to the Lord for ourselves and let Him guide all of our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)
ReplyDeleteIf we are truly listening to and following Him, then we will naturally be compelled to do what is right and to speak truth to whomever He wills as He leads us "down the path of righteousness" (Psalm 23)
But those are just my thoughts :)