I value people.

I value only quality people, as Les Brown likes to say.

I value good, honest, moral characters that won’t betray you in their hearts, minds or out loud when they catch a chance.

These days this is a rare commodity to find in anyone.

It seems the demon of betrayal, backbiting, hypocrisy, slander and just pure evil is working overtime. I hate the very stench of it. Human beings are social creatures and as Christians, we need to have people around us who are like-spirited.

I can’t even describe to you fully how essential this is.

There are levels to this that many won’t and can’t comprehend.

People around you influence many aspects of your life.

These include:

what you wear
what you eat
the music you listen to
how you conduct yourself
the decisions you make
what you talk about daily
how you treat others
the thoughts you think
the goals you set
whether you are successful
whether you fail
the God you serve, knowing or unknowingly

People, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, relatives, and spouses all influence you in so many ways.

If you have only quality people around you, they will influence you for the good and not for the bad.

I continually learn this lesson the hard way.

God has a way of isolating me at times – you might notice this in your life as well, if you are a servant of God, or if He has called you. He moves people away so that He can shape your character, and not those around me.

I have never been one to succumb to peer pressure. I was always a leader, never a follower in my group at school or anywhere else in life.

But, if you pay particular attention to human psychology – human behavior and understand groupthink, mimicking, etc. you will come to understand like I have, that what people do or say can influence you subconsciously, without you even knowing. I see this demonstrated daily.

Some people need validation.

Some people need direction.

Some people need companionship.

In order to get any of these things, they compromise their own personal sovereignty and allow another to command their borders and determine how they live their lives. Many times willing.

This is all driven by the simple principle that we are social creatures and need other people. But, even if this is a need, we should do so carefully.

Even Jesus choose his friends carefully. He surrounded himself with only quality people.

The disciples were not only his followers and students, but they were also his closest friends.

And yes, one of them betrayed him. But, he knew before, who this would be.

Unfortunately, you will run into your Judas from time to time. It’s the circle of life. But that does not mean that you should become a Judas.

Live your life by a different standard.

As Christians, we must be the earthly standard-bearer and be an example of Christ.

Be good to others.

Love others.

Be kind.

Treat people fairly.

Do not betray your fellow man.

Do not slander, speak badly about, or ‘dog’ people.

Do not embrace envy, spite, and retribution.

Do not harbor grudges.

Be ye kind, one to another, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Hm, this one is entrenched in my heart. And I pray, it is in yours too.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Be Encouraged

Take courage.

The Lord fights the battles of his children every day and he will never stop fighting for you.

He will never stop teaching you good principles to build your character.

Do not give up trying to live a better Christian life. None of us are perfect. But, we must get up daily and strive towards the high calling for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Treat others with respect. Read the word of God and surround yourself with Only Quality People.

*****

About the writer:
Poetess Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 30 books and writer for over ten years. She is a General and Copy Writer for online publications such as Revealing the Christian Life, Jamaica Rose, Entertainment Trail, My Trending Stories, The Island Journal, Express Writers, among others.

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