#JESUS2020 - Daily DevotionalsSample

Have you ever paused to think about what influences you, or rather who influences you?

We all know the expression "You are what you eat!" This means that if you eat irregularly or unhealthily, it affects your health negatively or, in the opposite case, positively. When we read the Bible, it says exactly the same thing about the people we surround ourselves with. In Proverbs, we read that as iron sharpens iron, we also sharpen each other. When we surround ourselves with good people, we increase in wisdom and can even become better people through them. For us as Christians, this means that if we cultivate fellowship with other believers who also love Jesus and want to grow in their faith as we do, then we automatically become better people through this fellowship. If we remain humble in our relationships, then we also open a door for God to sharpen us through other people.

But what about the "bad influence"? First Corinthians warns us and says that we should be wise about who we surround ourselves with because bad company corrupts good character. We do not want our character to be influenced by things that contradict God's guidelines. Jesus is the good shepherd, the light that guides us, the narrow path that leads us to the Father. When we get together with like-minded people and have Jesus in the center, then we are on the path to success.

When Jesus went to the cross, He knew that His mission was coming to an end. But His disciples would continue it as a conspired group of true friends who have sharpened and encouraged each other.

ACTION STEP:

Are you in a small group with like-minded people? Take a closer look at the people you surround yourself with. Which ones influence you positively; which ones negatively?

Danila Rodriguez, ICF Karlsruhe