Who is Whispering in Your Ear?

"You keep your son away from mine. He's a bad influence." No parent wants to hear those words. "I am impressed at the positive impact your son had on mine."  Now that we like, right? Peer influence IS strong - for good, for ill, and a parent who is not working to stay aware of his child's choice of friends is foolish. The Proverb says, "Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces." (Proverbs 13:20, The Message)  

Many teens live in isolation from parental influence. They are be physically present in our house and yet; because of messaging, Facebook, texting, email, online gaming; their need for social interaction is met entirely without us. As a result they grow up in a echo chamber filled with their friends' voices,  a place where uninformed, sometimes silly, opinions are amplified. Without corrective input, they are robbed of the wisdom that allows them to evaluate the inexperienced advice of peers.

And, it's not just kids who are influenced by peers! Every one of us, regardless of age or maturity, values the opinions of others. This pity comment from a Union General during the Civil War might well be engraved in our memory: "We have more to fear from the opinions of our friends than the bayonets of our enemies." - Nathaniel Banks

Do you use the power of peer influence for good? People can lift us up! That's one of the reasons God calls Christians into His Church. The connections we form with those who are pursuing His ways, who love Him and His kingdom, sustain us when we hit those inevitable hard times. The Spirit says, "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT) If those with whom you are practicing your faith are not helping you to grow in faith and obedience, it is time to ask yourself if you're among the right kind of people.

Scott Williams, a speaker and executive at Nxt Level Solutions, offers the B.E.C.C. pattern for our peer relationships. It's a way each of us take the lead among those with whom we serve, work, and live.

B - Believe in them no matter what.

           E - Encourage them to do more.

           C - Challenge them to do it better.

           C - Correct them when they are off.

At the beginning of this week, let me encourage you to give yourself to the Spirit. Let Him own your heart, control your mind.  We become what we think!  

The Bible teaches us to let the Spirit transform us from the inside out, because "those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." (Romans 8:5-7, NIV)  Connected with God, the Spirit, strengthen ties to those who love Him. Encourage and be encouraged.

Here's a short word from the Word. Is it true of you? "I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts." (Psalm 119:63, NIV)

____________

We Will Stand

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand,

Why we pull away from each other so easily,

Even though we're all walking the same road.

Yet, we build dividing walls

Between our brothers and ourselves.

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us

When we're walking side by side.

As long as there is love

We will stand.

The day will come when we will be as one

And with a mighty voice

Together we will proclaim that -
Jesus, Jesus is King!

It will echo through the earth,

It will shake the nations,

And the world will see

See that

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us

When we're walking side by side.

As long as there is love

We will stand.

James Hollihan | Russ Taff | Tori Taff

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