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“Pleasantly Fragrant or Odorously Offensive?”

Thoughts for Today:

Last summer our niece Bailey spent some time with us at our home in Idaho. Bailey and our daughter Amanda are just a couple of years apart and quickly became inseparable. As the days wore on, they began to dress alike, take on each other's verbal expressions, food likes and dislikes, and even came to smell the same (they used the same soap and shampoo).

Hilary Clinton once said, "It takes a village to raise a child." Although I disagree with the supposition of her statement, I do agree that our children are highly influenced by those with whom they associate -- both positively and negatively. Most parents have experienced that the friendships our children make dramatically influence their behavior.

In similar fashion, Paul warns to watch out for the harm it can cause to us personally when we associate with brothers or sisters who are involved in sinful activities. We will begin to think, talk and act like those with whom we have regular contact. And just like Bailey and Amanda, we take on the aroma of those around us -- which can either be pleasantly fragrant, or odorously offensive.

Questions to Ponder:

If I am ever confused about whether one of my friends is a good influence upon me or not, I need to look no farther than my wife Sherry. Let's face it, our spouses know us better than we know ourselves. I may not always like her input regarding my relationships, but she is rarely wrong. Is there someone in your life from whom you need to create some distance? Is he or she involved in immoral activities? If the answer is "yes", then the decision is simple.

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.