Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

DAILY READING –   – Acts 16:1-15; Judges 2-3; Job 34

Poison ivy looks like many harmless plants, and it keeps company with some beautiful ones too. Some gardeners may find that they get rashes from poison ivy whenever they prune their roses. That is because the poison ivy vine would attach itself to the rose, taking advantage of the tender loving care the gardener gives to the rosebush. Some people are just like that. They look harmless, and they blend in with people who, like roses, are fragrant and beautiful. But these people, like poison ivy can give you a rash. So be careful who you run with. People that do not share the same faith, or have a vision of the work of God, can be poison to your destiny.

Anyone who is not adding to your life is subtracting from it. Just like the poison ivy, some people look harmless, they are fun to be with. But the question is how are they adding to you spiritually, how do you feel after they leave you? Your destiny is too precious to be subjected to wrong influence.

The Bible asks us  not to be unequally  yoked with unbelievers. Are you still hanging around some unbeliever friends? Yes they can sometimes seem fun to be with, but being with them is also doing something to you, especially if your discussions are not based on the Gospel. They can come in the guise of business partners, family members, colleagues etc, but the more you stay in their presence and indulge in their worldly conversations, little by little your fire is being dimmed. Proverbs 27:17 says ‘As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.’  Your friends should be sharpening you to become better. Their good qualities should be rubbing off on you. They should be inspiring you to go further in life. Anyone who is not sharpening you, is causing you to become blunt.

You have to set boundaries. If someone is always negative, critical, finding fault, then they’re not for you. Spirits are transferable. Proverbs 22:24-25 says you should not hang around a hot-tempered person or you’ll become hot-tempered too. The same book of proverbs advises us to depart from the presence of someone when we sense they lack wisdom.

You can’t hang out with chickens and expect to soar like eagles. Birds of the same feather flock together. Make sure you’re flocking to the right group. There is a principle called the law of the group. We associate with people the way we see ourselves. Complainers find other complainers, gossips find gossips. Successful people find other successful people. Also if you hang around excellent people excellence will rub off on you.

Surround yourself with eagles, people who will add value to your life, and help you on the journey of destiny. Life is too short to waste time hanging with the wrong people. You won’t become who you were created to be if you don’t become selective in your friendships. Sometimes it may mean being lonely for a season, but it is better to walk alone than to run with fools. Because the companion of fools shall be destroyed. Friendship is not by force. Don’t stay with any friend who will weigh you down on the journey of destiny. Who you spend your time with has a great impact on your life. There are the destiny helpers who will help you to become all that God has ordained for you to be. Seek such friends. Pray to God to bring these right friends your way. There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That is the kind of friend you need,  someone who will be there through thick and thin, someone who will love you not only on the mountaintop, but also in the valleys of life. Someone who is committed to ensuring that you fulfill God’s will for your life.  These are God ordained people who will inspire you to be the best you can be. They are rare to find. But when we wait on God, He brings such divine relationships and connections to us. And if you have such friends already then value them, because they are heaven’s agents sent on assignment by God to help you on the journey of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be surrounded by the right friends. Keep far from me anyone who will hinder my destiny in any way. Bring to me destiny helpers, those who by Your grace will help me to be all You have ordained for me to be in this life in Jesus Name.   

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Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- WORDBITE 222

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]