Why Your Circle Matters
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Proverbs 13:20-He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
The people that you choose to have significant influence and time in your life can either make you or break you. This message is one that is found throughout the Bible. Think about Amnon who ended up raping his sister, Tamar. He was eventually killed by his brother, Absalom, as a result of this treachery.
And where had Amnon gotten the idea for how to trap and rape his sister?
2 Samuel 13:3-But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.
The friendship of Jonadab does not remove the guilt of Amnon. But it does go to teach us the influence our friends can have on us for good, or for evil. Another example of who we choose to influence us comes from this statement by Paul:
Ephesians 6:16-above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Notice the word “shield” in this passage.
“The shield in this passage was about four feet high and two and a half feet wide. It had hooks on the sides to link it to other shields in a line so that an entire row of soldiers could advance without exposing themselves to incoming arrows. It was common for enemies to dip their arrows in pitch, light them, and then pelt the opposing soldiers with thousands of destructive, flaming missiles. So the Romans made their shields with iron and two layers of wood, wrapped them in linen, and covered it all with leather. But they would leave a gap between layers so flaming arrows could penetrate far enough into the shield to be quickly extinguished. One soldier is said to have come in from the battle lines with two hundred once-fiery arrows still stuck in his shield. That’s the metaphor Paul uses, and his readers understood exactly what he meant.” (Chip Ingram, Invisible War, The: What Every Believer Needs to Know About Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare, 124 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books)
As Christians, Paul points out that we are in this spiritual war together. Satan mean business: and we need to be able to have confidence in those who are fighting by our side. I need to be able to depend on those in my circle, and they likewise need to be able to depend on me.
Lord Jesus, help us to be wise in whom we allow into our lives. Give us wisdom. Help us to be faithful and dependable friends and soldiers of Christ. Amen.