THE RIGHT PEOPLE

“Pursue righteous living…Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22

If you want to be in God’s will and experience His blessings, you have to be around the right people. The people who are right for you are the people who will be honest with you. They don’t just tell you what you want to hear, but they tell you what you need to hear. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Proverbs 27:6). Good friends are not afraid to confront you.

Get around the right people because everybody who comes into your life brings a spirit. Sometimes, it is easy to gravitate to people we can relate to and who are similar to us. But the problem with that is, if you both share the same weaknesses, you will not grow in that area. You need to get around someone who is strong in the areas where you are weak. They know how to help get you to where you want to be.

In 2 Chronicles 10, Rehoboam had just been appointed king. Some of the leaders of Israel met with him and asked him to lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that had been imposed on them. So Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon (the wisest man on earth). They advised him to listen to the people; however, Rehoboam had a group of friends he had grown up with that gave him the opposite advice. They told him to place even harder demands on the people to show that he was even more powerful than his father. Unfortunately, Rehoboam took the advice of his friends, which caused a complete rebellion. This decision eventually led to him being run out of the kingdom. The course of his life was forever altered due to his decision to be around and listen to the wrong people.

David’s story shows us the value of good friendships. David chose to be friends with Jonathon. The Bible tells us that Jonathon loved David as himself. David’s choice of friends paid off. Jonathon saved David’s life and even pushed him into his destiny to be king. Good friends will not try to hold you back. They will help you believe in yourself. Like iron sharpens iron, a good friend will make you a better person.  

Remember, “bad company corrupts good character” (I Corinthians 15:33). Being in the company of the wise will keep you in God’s will. If you show me your friends, I will show you your future. Be careful who you choose to let into your inner circle. The people who you surround yourself with will shape your destiny.