Key #6: Choose your friends carefully
The people we spend time with tend to influence our thinking and, subsequently, our actions. While we can’t control who we will meet in public or who we will work with in our jobs, we can decide who we will be with during our free time. Addressing this concept, Solomon wrote: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).
In the first century, Paul reiterated this timeless principle: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). He also wrote that we should “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). Expounding this point, Paul taught, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
On the positive side, when we fellowship with people who share our religious values, it encourages us to remain faithful to God. When we are together, we have the opportunity to “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This is why fellowship with believers was such an important principle during the founding of the Church of God (Acts 2:42) and why it continues to be important for us to practice today.
When we fellowship with believers, we grow in our love and respect for each other and God. As John explained, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
Key #7: Learn from your mistakes
The cold, hard truth is that all of us have made mistakes and will make mistakes. This is repeated multiple times in the Bible.
In his dedication prayer for the temple Solomon noted, “There is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36). In the book of Ecclesiastes, he similarly said: “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Later, Paul explained, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The question is not whether we will sin. That is a given. What is important is what we will do after we sin. God’s desire is for us to repent of our ungodly acts and to return to living as He commands. Commenting on the tenacity we need to have in the face of mistakes, Solomon noted: “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16). The point is, we need to keep getting back up whenever we fall. And we need to learn from our mistakes, so we don’t fall again or at least not as often.
This concludes the study on obtaining and growing in spiritual discernment. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/
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