Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 13:16-20
Prov 13:16-20
In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
1 Cor 15:32-34
What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
We are all influenced by the people with whom we associate. The more we are around them, the greater this influence becomes. Depending on our personality and that of our peers, some will change us more than others, but we are all influenced by the lifestyle, the attitude, and the thinking of others. This may be influence for good or it may be for evil, but it affects us at every age.
I have seen young people who were intelligent but who made very poor grades in school because they ran around with people who either didn’t care about doing good or just were not able to make good grades. I have watched good kids get sucked into horrible lifestyles because of their choice of companions. It is always easier for us to go downward, away from God, than it is to go upward. But this principle is just as true for older adults as it is for young adults or children.
But we can stand for what is right and do what is right, even in the most evil society. Noah spent about a hundred years preaching to people who were very wicked and who had no regard for God, but in the meantime, he was faithful to God and raised his three sons to serve the Lord. Like Noah, we must love the Lord and trust him and trust his will for our lives, even in the midst of an evil society.
O Lord God, my heavenly Father, give me wisdom and strength to do what is right, even when others are not doing so. Help me be a good influence on others and lead them to Jesus. Lord, there are always those that I know who are sick and those who are suffering and I ask you to be with each of them and bless them according to their individual needs, and according to your will. Use me to help them. Be with all of us who are in your family and help us love each other so the world will see Jesus living in us. In his holy name I pray.
Robert
