Day 3: The Need for Removal in Close Relationships

Job was constantly being drawn into the negative thoughts and opinions of his friends. He had friends who were not friends to his purpose or his future. They were friends with his drama, shortcomings, and failures.

Some friends are only friends with you because they love talking about your problems with other people. You are only a walking tabloid to them so that they have something good to talk about.

Your bad situations are good gossip to bad friends.

The Bible says that where there is gossip, there is every other evil work.

This means that if you have friends in your close circle who are gossiping about you, you are likely giving access to demonic activity in your life.

So, as you pray for God to remove demonic attacks and influences, do not resist His attempt to remove some of the closest people to you. He is not removing them to fight against them because the Bible says that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers and wickedness in high places.

God is more focused on removing the thing that is connected to them versus rejecting the entire person.

Sometimes we become so close to our friends that we do not question their obviously questionable behavior, nor do we test their spirit by the Spirit. We must remain sober and vigilant to be able to discern when even our loved ones are access points for the enemy to attack us.

Reflect:

When was the last time that you evaluated your circle? It is often easy for us to string friends and connections along because of who they were to us in the beginning, but sometimes what was once a good connection can go sour.

Take some time and think of all the key people who you are vulnerable with. Ask God about each one, and heed the answer that He gives you. If a "friend" is an access point for the enemy to wreak havoc in your life, they are not a friend at all.