Proverbs Chapter 22 verses 24-25 (NIV)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Philippians chapter 4 verse 9 (NIV)
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Although in these verses in the book of Proverbs, Solomon is using a hot tempered person as an example, the counsel offered could apply to anything that takes our eyes, and our habits, away from Christ. However,
conversely in his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged them to follow his example and do as he did. He had chosen to keep his eye on Jesus and emulate him. Paul was not being big headed, just obedient. So we too make the choice of which way to go, and whose example to follow. But we can also choose to be an example for others to follow. After all, doesn’t Paul say that by following his example, we have the assurance that the God of peace will be with us.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be so focused on following you that I am not interested in what anyone else is doing. Better for me to lead someone to Jesus, than to follow them in the opposite direction. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.