July 3, 2025

Whom do you follow ?

Don't we always worry about who our kids' friends are?  That's because we realize that their friends will influence their behavior.  Proverbs 18:2 "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin..."

But as adults we need to realize the same is true.  Who are our friends?  Who are those people we look up to?  Who are our heros? "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."  Proverbs 27:9

In recent years we have seen unlikely people become heros.  May 2020 we saw a man with an extensive criminal record become such a hero.  After his death, we saw christian churches demonstrate against the injustice.  Pastors posted a black square to show support, instead of preaching the Gospel of peace.  We saw riots in the streets that caused approximately 2 billion dollars in damage, lives were lost, businesses were shut down. And yet statues were built in his honor.  

Presently, there are a few criminal cases that have GoFund me pages that have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from supporters, from fans.  Proverbs 22:24-25, "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared."

This devotion for these criminals crosses the lines of faith, gender and age.  Why?  Have

We have lost our moral compass as a nation.  Proverbs 11:3."The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."

As we see a shift in the Nation, away from left and progressive ideologies, it's time we analyze ourselves.  2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans” Psalm 118:8

Paul instructs us, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do." Philippians 3:17

When we follow someone, we listen, we give them stage in our lives and we imitate them.   So, I ask you today, whom are you following? Are you following entertainers, singers, social justice warriors or are you following those that follow Paul, who followed Jesus?

During the riots a missionary, with a theological degree, assured me that supporting the riots was the right thing to do!  I am still looking into the scriptures to support her viewpoint (sarcasm).

But what I did find is a warning from Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14  "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Jesus teaches that the "narrow road"