SimplifySample

From Isolated to Connected—Deepening Your Relational Circles

What Solomon says in today’s reading is absolutely true. When we surround ourselves with foolish people, we become like them. And when we surround ourselves with wise, mature, good people, their high character rubs off on us too.

True friends know, accept, love, serve, and celebrate one another. These are the hallmark ingredients of a true friendship. Too often, though, we settle for “friendships” that fall far beneath this standard. And so our relationships, like every other area of life, require regular evaluation, pruning, and strengthening.

No matter how strong you are, people who are prideful, dishonest, mean-spirited, and divisive will negatively influence your character, inhibit your development as a person, and impede your spiritual growth.

In life, through our relationships, stuff rubs off. Good and bad, it rubs off.

If you’re looking for people whose character will rub off on you in a positive way, Paul’s list is a great place to start: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

When searching for friends to draw deeper into your inner circle, look for people who exhibit these foundational fruits of the Holy Spirit. They will influence your life in positive ways. Their character will rub off on you.

You will greatly simplify your life when you fine-tune your relational world. Prune wisely and with determination. Create space for new growth that will bear fruit in your life—spiritual, emotional, and relational fruit. Life is too rich with opportunity to walk it alone.

Question for reflection: What qualities do you most value in your friends and why? How does your current inner circle of friends reflect these qualities?