Come Out From Among Them – Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional September 2nd

(The Wrong Associations Will Pull You From The Right Path)

TO THE BIBLE: 1 Kings 11:9
“So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.”

LET’S TALK
Solomon was the wisest and one of the most powerful kings in history; God appeared to him twice. But somewhere along the line, Solomon started hanging out with the wrong crowd.

The Bible says he loved women from nations God had already warned Israel not to marry from (1 Kings 11:2). These weren’t just casual friendships. He cleaved to them—got emotionally and spiritually attached. Sure enough, their influence pulled him away from God.

Some Christians do the same thing today. They choose friendships or relationships based on popularity and trends instead of values.

But James 4:4 reminds us that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God. It sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. 1 John 2:15 puts it this way: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Solomon went from being a man of prayer to a man of parties, from meeting with God to only meeting people, and from seeking God’s presence to constantly socializing. And it all started with who he allowed into his inner circle.

You have to understand that the people you associate with will become the standard for the things that take your time. These include your interests and the things you love.

Don’t say, “I know myself; they can’t influence me.” Instead, simply heed God’s guidance. He already said concerning unwholesome associations, “…come out from among them, and be separate…” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

God knows better than you do. If He tells you the result of taking an action, trust that He’s right and follow His Word. It’s not about being better than anyone; it’s about protecting the calling on your life.

Go Deeper
Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14

Speak:
I’m discerning in my relationships and guided by the wisdom of God to fraternize only with those who honour the Lord and His Word and have reverence for the things of the Spirit. I prioritize fellowship with the Lord above everything else and set my heart on the glory and realities of the Kingdom.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Proverbs 8-9
TWO YEAR
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, Jeremiah 19-20

Act:
Ask yourself: “Are my closest friends pulling me closer to God or away from Him?” Then choose wisely; your circle shapes your direction.