Who Are You Sharing Your Spirit and Time With?

We must evaluate our friendships and place people properly in our lives or they can affect our commitment to God, integrity, standards of living which will cause us to compromise our faith. Each one of us has to make a personal decision to obey God; no matter the cost. It may cost you some friendships but turning away from your old carnal ways is necessary. You have to guard your heart against negative influences so that you don’t fall back into your old lifestyle. This means using wisdom when making connections with others. Similarities do not qualify you to be friends. Choose your friends wisely...evaluate and pray about them before you place them in the friend zone. If the friendship(s) causes you to compromise then you have to make a decision to walk away. Separate yourself from unrighteousness; do not be fooled by those that make excuses for sin or influence others to sin. Light exposes darkness; so wherever your light is shining it will expose secret darkness and evil deeds. Do not participate in the sin committed towards others in private. Your silence is agreement…take a stand be the light. Do away with everything that opposes righteousness for example but not limited to: fornication, sexual immorality, adultery, covetousness, gossip, slander, filthy/corrupt conversations, foolish talk, crude joking, bitterness, wrath, anger, corrupt, malice, blasphemy, complaining, lying, murder, and stealing. These things are not for believers. A believer’s heart and actions should reflect light not darkness.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that you will help each of us obey you at all cost. Give us a revelation that obedience is better than sacrifice. Let us be the light in the lives of others. Develop a desire in us for the Word of God so that our minds may be renewed. Help us to live above reproach morally so that we reflect your goodness to others. Let our personal lives reflect and validate our witness. Reveal to us if we are not spending our time wisely and with the right connections. Lord, I ask that those that are slipping into bad behavior and mocking will be awakened in their spirit to the danger of their current ways/lifestyles. I pray that they would repent and make a decision to do better. Renew their mind with the Word of God; transform their hearts. I pray for a revelation that everyone does not deserve a seat at the table in their life. I declare deliverance from people pleasing and trying to fit in. I declare freedom from the opinions of others. Remove the feeling of obligation to be friends with those that desire to befriend them but they do not fully trust or they are unsure of what they represent. Help us to run and flee anything that stimulates youthful lust. I ask that you will help us develop friendships that will glorify you God. Help us not to be offended by excommunication for desiring to walk in light, be different and set apart in Jesus Name, Amen.

Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the LORD. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the LORD out of a pure heart.

Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.