You can judge a man's character by the friends he has

While growing up I remember my sister used to tell me "Be careful who you let in your circle of friends". I never really understood what she was saying or really what she meant by that until recently. I surrounded myself with friends from all different backgrounds and religions. don't get me wrong, But i know it is ok to be in the company of non believers- In the New Testament it says that we can go to the house of non- believers and eat lunch/dinner there. It is fine to be in friendships with unsaved people, but the thing is - is it ok for them to be in our INNER CIRCLE?

Let's take this as an example... T Mobile has this thing for their cell phone users to have a FAV FIVE. Now, take a minute and think about who would you put in your FAV FIVE... or better yet who do you have in those slots? Are they your family members, are they your best friends, co- workers, etc. Now, how many of those people are Christians? Not just Christians who wear the name- but God Fearing, overwhelmed and in Love with God Christians?

My whole life, I was careless to whom I became close to, whom I considered my best friends, and who I spent most my time with. I had surrounded myself with so many non Christians I failed to realize what toll it would take on my walk with God.

  "Do not be mislead- Bad company corrupts good character- 1 Corinthians 15:33"...

OK we all know that our friends rub off each other and that we tend to pick up character traits from the people we spend most time around. How many of those character traits that we picked up were good ones? Were any of them aiding your walk with God? 

I am not blaming my friends or past friends for my constant slip in my relationship with God. I blame myself entirely. I feel like if you surround yourself with people who are not on fire for God, your fire for God will not be as strong, or will be extinguished . We need people in our lives to encourage us, support us, and be of good company ... we need people in our lives that will be our spiritual backbones and not bring us down paths of unrighteousness. This doesn't mean abandon all those people who are not Christians in your lives- how else will we witness to them! It's just that we REALLY need to be careful who we let in our close circle of friends. It is so important that we have friends who will help us in our relationship with God not hinder it. Think about it, if you face an issue or a situation and you tell your friends about it- what is their first response? Is their response to get revenge, get drunk, steal, lie, cheat, etc? 

Or is it something that is uplifting, something dealing with Prayer, giving you Godly advice, giving you scripture references? If you don't have friends like that in your life, you need them! 

We have all heard that saying.. you can judge a man's character by the friends he has!

I have surrounded myself with people who have backstabbed me, betrayed me, abandoned me, and given me worldly advice. All the while I am trying to build a relationship with God. I finally realized how can I grow in my walk with God when my friends and their lifestyles pull me away? It is so important that we had God Fearing friends in our lives... people who are willing to pray with you when you need it, people who will pray FOR you, people who will worship God with you, people who will help you in your relationship with God... it is just so important for that. Your life will change dramatically when you change the people you are with.  What you put in your life will greatly affect every area of your life, the friends you hold so dearly to your heart will greatly affect what room you have left for God in your heart.