Recently I found myself in a position where I had to receive correction. That is never a pleasant experience. Why did I end up here, again? I saw that it was a choice I had made to allow someone else’s beliefs to influence my response to a situation.
This morning I saw that this has become a repeating pattern. I reviewed in my mind the situations that led me to act out of character. All the situations involved other people. People who were spiritually mature, ones I thought could be trusted in what they were speaking. I Cor. 15:33 says: Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” NLT
I see that I can be adversely influenced by other people. This is definitely a weakness that the enemy has found. I recall five situations over the past fifteen years like this. That may not seem like a lot but I consider it three times too many. The first time I wouldn’t see that it was a pattern because it wasn’t, yet. But when it happened the second time I should have recognized that something was wrong.
Considering myself a mature Christian I am ashamed that I did not wake up to this sooner. Now I must root out what causes me to do this and make the changes necessary to keep my life clean from this sin. I don’t blame the other people, if I acted in character I might have been able to help them avoid the direction they were going also. Prov. 4:15-15 says: Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. KJV
I am responsible for my own behavior and for the behavior of others that I can influence for good. Eph. 4:29 tells us to Let no corrupt communication out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
I am so grateful for God’s grace and mercy, that He loves me enough to not allow me to stay the way I am. I have repented and received His forgiveness. My desire is to always bring froth good fruit.
Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. KJV
Do you have an unhealthy pattern in your life that God is trying to bring to your attention?
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13 comments:
Correction is never pleasant, but it's necessary--and good. Especially when it's done out of love. Thank you for sharing this. Have a great weekend!
I think of Aaron being corrupted by making the Golden Calf. Yes, bad company can do that to you.
Thanks for the warning.
Susan
I struggle with negativity. If I'm around it for a period of time, I become more negative. So I strive to hang our with positive thinkers who are encouraging.
Thanks for sharing these great insights, Dinae.
Mark and I once had a pastor friend who didn't believe this principle. How he could NOT believe is a mystery because it is all over Scripture. Apparently, I am safe to hang out with because Jan hangs out with me all the time, and we have been very good at keeping our secret about robbing that bank.
Love ya, Diane
So coincidental that you posted on this subject. All week I've been thinking about how God takes our failures and corrects us.I shouldn't be surprised that the same Spirit speaks to all of us children, and with similar messages. Good post,Diane.
Kristen, so true that correction is necessary--and good, in a painful way.:)
Susan, I hadn't thought of Aaron, good bible reference. Hopefully you won't find me building a golden calf.
Jan,It is so difficult to be around negative people, I find they pull me down more than I pull them up. What's wrong with that picture, I have the greater one residing in me. :)
Denise, I agree Jan is a good one to hang around. I'll keep quiet about the bank robbery if I can get a cut.
Dena, I am always amazed at how God will speak a message to us in so many ways, over and over. I guess I get a little hard headed at times.
oh yes! Everyday the Holy Spirit directs me to an area that is apart from His character and will for my life.
Tamika,
I am so glad that He is still working on us and that the Holy Spirit is our guide.
Um...just a few. ;) I have something for you on my blog.
Winged Writer
Diane, how wonderful that you are able to take the correction and grow from it. I think that is a sign of spiritual maturity so many of us struggle with. It would be so nice to just automatically get it right. But sometimes, we have to struggle through. Thanks for the encouragement.
OH yes, I'm sure of it. I have to watch myself with falling into certain patterns as well. I think we all have struggles like that but when they get to be a pattern, thank goodness we can catch on and try to find a way to stop them.
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