Who Do You Let Speak Into Your Life?
Your circle of friends is so important, because essentially they become your circle of influence. They are the people that know you best and will probably spend the greatest amount of time with you. Often times we don’t realize how great the impact and influence our family and friends have on our lives. I have noticed that occasionally when I talk to people I leave more confused than when I came. I realized that I need to stop talking to other people about my life, and if I do, I need to be led by the spirit.
Whenever you are seeking advice, the first person you should talk to is God. He is the only person that knows the end from the beginning. I have noticed that often times my friends want to give me helpful advice about dating, networking, buying a house etc. They often mean well, but more often they are issues they I should have discussed with God first. There are times when getting advice is acceptable; in fact, the bible encourages us to seek wise counsel. However, we need to be careful about who we get that advice from and we need to filter that advice appropriately.
Things to consider:
1. Do they have a relationship with God (a real one, not the one where they visit church occasionally and live however they choose the rest of the time)? If they do have a relationship with God, has he assigned or placed them in your life?
2. How does there opinion measure up to the word of God? Oftentimes people mean well but there opinion is wrong. It may not necessarily be bad advice but if it is not what God told you specifically, or God has said something that directly contradicts what they are saying then it is wrong. We cannot expect people to know the mind of God, especially those that don’t actually know God. Therefore the word should always be the standard.
3. Are people telling their truth or God’s truth? We as a people have a habit of making our experience everyone else’s. So if it didn’t work a particular way for them, it won’t work for us either. Nothing could be further from the truth. God has a different and detailed plan for every one of our lives. Don’t limit yourself to the experiences of others. Trust God to do something new in you.
People and the world have a way of distorting things and making them different than the way they actually are. When we listen to them and do not properly filter what is being said through God’s word (the bible) and God’s word to us we will begin to believe them. Don’t forsake the promises God has given you because of what someone else said. Seek the ultimate authority on your life, the one who created it!