Are Your Friends The Issue?

by Jarrod McClintick

by Jarrod McClintick

I've heard it said that if you want to know what kind of person you're becoming, take a look at your closest friends. I think there's a lot of truth in that. Who we spend the most time with really does reveal who we are inside. When we're constantly surrounded by people who negatively influence us, it's a problem.

Proverbs 22:24-25 offers a warning for spending too much time with "hot-tempered people." It says, "you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared." Ensnared means to become trapped, imprisoned, or held captive, which is the complete opposite of how Jesus calls us to total freedom.

It's not only "hot-tempered" people who can influence us to become just like them. The truth is that when we spend too much time around someone with any sin issue they are unwilling to deal with, we are stepping into a trap.

It's a tough decision to make, but some of us need to think carefully about who our closest friends are. It's not necessary to cut these people out of our lives completely, but you may need to limit the time you spend with that person. Don't hear me can still love them and point them to Jesus, while making sure you are becoming more like Christ.

One of the reasons it's so hard to stop spending time with someone we're close to is that it leaves a painful hole in our lives. Even if we understand that the relationship is dragging us down, we will miss the connection. However, Jesus has so much more to offer us than we'll miss. Spending time with Him and following Him is the only thing that can truly lead to an abundant life of freedom.

Some things to think about:

  • Evaluate the relationships in your life. Are any of them unhealthy for you and your relationship with Jesus?
  • What's a change you can make in your relationships right now?
  • Are you the one who is really struggling with a sin issue? Do you need someone to talk to? Our Care Team would love to chat with you on Sunday, or you can connect here