Just Being Us

Just Being Us
Family, where we can be real, and feel unconditional love!

Friday, September 4, 2020

Don't Pick the Bad Apple {Free Printables}


          Each day we have choices to make.  We must choose what foods to eat, what attitudes to have, and what friends to allow in our lives.  We have to keep in mind that our choices will either glorify God or they will please our sinful nature.  It's not always easy to choose what it right is it?  The world may look at us like we are weird if we choose to please God instead of man.  That is why it is so important to keep friends that will encourage us to be godly women and men.  If our close friends hold us accountable to do what is right, then we will have an easier time choosing what is good and right in the sight of God. 

 Proverbs 27:6 You can trust what your friend says, even when it hurts. But your enemies want to hurt you, even when they act nice.

     We need to be very cautious when making decisions.   A cautious person is one who plans.  As a Christian, we need to plan our lives based on the Word of God and His way to live.  We need to realize that we have a sinful nature and if we do not purpose to follow God's way, we will be tempted to sin and go our own way. 

     The plans of the diligent lead to
 profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 
~ Proverbs 21:5

     How do we seek to be more cautious in our decision making?  By living a life that seeks God's wisdom and turns from our normal inclinations of wanting to sin.  When you have a decision to make, cry out to God for His guidance in the situation.  Put Him first in everything you do. 

     Another way to develop this character quality is by learning from others and seeking godly counsel.  Instead of making quick decisions, sit down and think through the consequences.  Maybe you know of someone who had already gone through a similar situation that you can talk to, or you can go to someone older and wiser and seek their godly wisdom.  That is why we need to keep friends that are willing to speak the truth in love to us.  Friends that are truly seeking God in their lives.  If we have friends who are not wanting to follow God's will for their life, they can lead us astray.  These friends are what we would call a bad apple.  Have you ever heard the saying "One bad apple can spoil the bunch"?  I believe that can be true because it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33: 

 Do not be misled: Bad company
 corrupts good character.

This verse is telling us that who we hang out with has an effect on our behavior.  That is why we need to choose our company wisely.  This doesn't mean we can't be around those who are making bad choices, they need us to be a good example to them and tell them about Jesus, but it is saying we need to be careful in who we allow to be our close personal friends.  You know the ones who give us advice and counsel.  The ones who we go to when we need help in our lives.  
     
      It is important to instill this character quality of cautiousness in your children at a young age, so they realize how important it is to seek God and His wisdom in decisions they make.  They need to be quick to listen to the advice of godly individuals like you, and they need to understand that God's ways are always the best ways.  They need to see you seeking God in everything. 

     I encourage you to pray about being more cautious with your choices, life, words and actions.  We represent Christ if we are saved, and we need to be a good witness for Him in everything we do and say!

      I have made a wonderful little book for you to download that has some great verses to memorize that will help your children make good choices when making friends.  To download it, just click on the link below the image.  




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