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?
Image: MorgueFile
