Are you under a bad influence?
Some times in this life we are called on to make tough choices. These choices are for our own health and spiritual growth. If you are not sure what I am talking about, let me simplify. There are old wives tales and sayings our elders have said to us over the years. Most of these sayings we turn a deaf ear to until they come home to roost. One of these sayings is, ’One bad apple will spoil the whole barrel.’ This was not just a literal saying but one that referred to a group of people, and goes back to the time of Shakespeare. How about, ‘A bad penny always turns up.’ meaning, just when you are free of a bad influence it returns to take you down again. That saying is from the 18th century. Or the English proverb, ‘If you lay down with dogs you will get up with fleas!’ These sayings are still around today they have proved to be true throughout time.
I can go on and on, but the point is if you align yourself with people with less than sterling qualities, you will never be all you can be. They will influence you in ways you may not even realize. You may fool yourself into thinking that you are going to change them, but if it hasn’t happened already, it probably never will. How do I turn my back on my friend? You may ask. I am not suggesting that you do, what I am saying is always be there as a friend, to aid with help and counsel when needed, but distance yourself from the daily habits that make you less than your best when you are around certain people. Live by example if you want to win them over.
As parents we need to teach our children to choose their friends wisely. Money and popularity should not enter into the equation, but their wholesomeness and beliefs should . Before you let your child go on a sleepover, meet the parents, and make sure they will be in a safe environment. Remember, you are the parent and responsible for their physical and mental wellbeing.
We as writers can make our characters overcome bad decisions. But sometimes in real life, these decisions can ruin a person for ever, like the influence of a drug addicted person has on another.
The righteous (is) more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. Proverbs 12:26
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24-25
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. I Corinthians 15:33
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14
He that walketh with the wise (men) shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1