Today’s #Snippet

Scripture Anchor

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 KJV

Apostolic Insight

Some relationships replenish us. Others repeatedly leave the inner room in disorder. It is not a weakness that relationships influence us, it is part of being human.

If you spend enough time around constant criticism, you begin expecting criticism. When you remain continually around gossip, eventually gossip begins sounding normal.

As you walk with people who pursue wisdom, their habits can begin to sharpen yours.

The company you keep matters.

Spiritual self-care therefore includes examining relational influence; this does not mean discarding everyone who disagrees with us, Jesus interacted with difficult people.

Ministry requires engaging people in many conditions; Family relationships can also involve responsibilities we cannot simply abandon because they are inconvenient.

But there is a difference between loving someone and allowing that person unrestricted influence over us.

Ask yourself:

■ Who speaks into my life?

■ Whose opinions carry unusual weight with me?

■ What happens to my thinking after prolonged interaction with certain people?

■ Do my closest relationships strengthen wisdom, truth, integrity, and faith?

Healthy boundaries are not declarations that other people are worthless; they are simply recognition that access and influence carry responsibility.

Love broadly, but choose close influence wisely.

Ponder This:

Who has meaningful influence over my thinking, and what is that influence producing?

Declaration:

 I will walk in love while exercising wisdom concerning influence.

I welcome relationships that strengthen truth, character, wisdom, and faith.

#PrayerOfAgreement

Father, thank You for giving me discernment concerning the relationships surrounding me.

Reveal to me where influence has become unhealthy, and teach me to love without surrendering wisdom.

Strengthen healthy relationships and give me courage to establish appropriate boundaries where necessary.

Help me also to apply wisdom,  be truthful, and becomr the strengthening presence in the lives of others.

In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amein.

Shalom,

Hephzibah Christly
#TheSpiritualWarrior