In yesterday’s recharge, I mentioned the link between hearing and behavior: what we hear affects our behavior. If you think about it, most of the things you hear, and the subsequent behaviors, come from the people you hang around. Have you noticed how easy it is to worry around worried people? You might be innately courageous, but hearing their concerns and fears often makes you nervous. I guess the old adage is right: “The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate (whether good or bad)” (Anonymous).
Peter learned the hard way about the dangers of bad company. He was surrounded by those who wanted to crucify Jesus, and they influenced him. Though he knew and loved Jesus, he started acting just like them. When they associated him with Jesus, he lied, and even cursed, to prove he wasn’t. Peter was supposed to be a light, but he became a shadow. All of this could have been avoided if he had changed his surroundings.
Let’s not repeat Peter’s mistake. When your associates steer you toward doubt and fear, change your surroundings. Find some friends, full of faith, who will help steer you back on track.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25, New Living Translation).