“He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.” 

Proverbs 13:20 AMP

Ouch! Strong words today again from the wisest man who ever lived! The advice today in a nutshell is that you will be molded by whatever you are spending your time with! There is an old saying, “A man’s character is known by the company they choose!” That is why we are always concerned about where our children are spending their time and who is influencing them! We see today a clear and dangerous attempt by the government to indoctrinate our children into accepting and moralizing sinful behavior. The Jewish scholar Sirach said ^“Do not ignore the discourse of the aged, for they themselves learned from their parents; form them you learn how to understand and to give an answer when the need arises.” Solid advice to listen to for sure! We must remember that there is a war raging for the minds of the youth. What does the Scripture tell us about battling this issue?

“Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God], 27 so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless.”

Galatians 5:25-27 AMP

Notice the words used in verse 26; sanctify, cleanse, and wash. The Greek word here is hagiazo. Some of you might recognize it as the root of the word hagios, or holy! That word means to be “the quality possessed by things and persons that COULD approach divinity.” Notice the words of the Apostle Peter,

“So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit–steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. 15But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; 16because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY (set apart), FOR I AM HOLY.” 

1 Peter 1:13-16 AMP

Do you see the reptation of the word mind? Everything about of practice is directed from our mind. That is why the Apostle Paul instructed the Galatians to let Christ “wash” you with His Word! Paul told the church at Rome,

“Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

 2And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” 

Romans 12:2-2 AMP

By spending our time in His Word, we begin to see the truth of what is happening around us. We must be “completely sober [in spirit–steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God]” if we want to combat the all-out war on God and our children!Let me encourage you today to look and see where, who, and what you are spending your time with. Are all three focused on bringing you closer to God or are they programming you with the twisted ways of the enemy! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken