Influencers

Abraham is introduced to us in the book of Genesis as a great man of God, and James describes him as "the friend of God" (James 2:23). It’s a unique description and a wonderful one at that.

One day the Lord came to His friend Abraham and said that He wanted Abraham to follow Him. He also told Abraham to make a clean break with his family and others. The family of Abraham was pagan and worshiped false gods. But Abraham was especially attached to certain members of his family—specifically to his nephew Lot. So Abraham obeyed God, but only partially. Abraham took Lot with him and then began to reap the consequences.

The people you choose to surround yourself with and have as your friends is really significant. These people either will build you up spiritually, or they will tear you down spiritually. All too often we make friends with the wrong people, and it negatively affects us.

What kind of influence do your friends have on you right now? Think about the people you hang out with, the people you text throughout the day, and the people you talk to on the phone or get together with for lunch or hang out with on the weekends. Are they building you up spiritually, or are they dragging you down?

At the same time, what kind of friend are you? Are you building up others spiritually, or are you dragging them down? The Bible addresses this in 2 Timothy 2:22: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart—is that a description of your friends right now? And is that a description of you?