Community Influence

Ever notice that when you hang around a group of people long enough that you start to pick up on some of their mannerisms and phrases? This is because we are directly influenced by who we spend our time with. We will inherit, absorb, and accrue certain things from those people who are in our lives.

For example, I knew someone years ago that always said "hold please" when she needed to think about something, look something up, or the like - instead of saying 'give me a minute' or 'wait' she said "hold please." I now find that is my go to phrase for the same situations. I now have also noted some of my direct reports at work using the phrase as well. Everyone we spend time with takes something from us and gives us something even when we do not know it.

So, who is in your regular community? Who is influencing your life? I am not saying only spend time with Christians, because of course we do not want to isolate, we need to bring our spirit and the word to others who do not know Jesus. However, you also need to surround yourself, spend time with, other believers. People who will be a positive influence on you, who will be a positive influence in your life, and who will pray with you.

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. (3 John 1:11 NLT)

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

So, be thoughtful about who you spend time with and who you allow to influence your life. Get into a bible study, a small group, get yourself a tribe. Get into community with other believers and spend time together just doing life!