Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
–1 John 3:7-8
Lucinda was a sweet, somewhat shy teenager.
Raised in a solid Christian home, she knew her relationship with the Lord had to be personal in order to be real. But when she went off to college she thought she could hang out with friends who “partied hearty” without it affecting her morals and actions.
Of course, she was wrong! In no time at all, Lucinda was the life of the party — especially when she was drunk.
The night Lucinda was arrested for DWI and underage drinking brought her to her knees in shame and humility.
She knew she was reaping what she had sown. But she also knew that God could make good of this horrible situation by using this as her wake-up call. Lucinda realized she had allowed her so-called friends to lead her astray.
Lucinda had to make some significant changes in her actions — and that began with the company she kept. Though she loved the people she had been hanging out with, partying with, she knew that she needed to cultivate strong, Godly friends who would help lift her up rather than drag her down.
John knew how strong the influence of our friends can be. That’s why his advice in today’s verse is as pertinent now as it was two thousand years ago: let no one lead you astray!
Prayer
Dear God, Please keep my eyes, heart, and mind wide-open to the truth of what is good and what is evil. Help me to choose my friends wisely. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
Who are my strongest, Godly friends? What do I value most about their friendship?