I have friends whom I have come to know well. I like them, but I know that if I ever wanted them to be at my house at 7 p.m., they would be late. My lack of faith in their being on time is based on my knowledge of them. It appears they don’t know what it means to be on time.
When we know someone it becomes easy to have faith in them. We know what they will do. For instance, over the years, married couples come to know each other’s likes and dislikes. In fact, they can get to the place that, in many ways, they think alike and enjoy the same things. That’s when they have come to know one another well.
As a strong relationship with the Lord develops, we will find that our likes and dislikes become more like God’s. We enjoy His presence. We understand His ways. The more we pursue knowing the depth of His character and learn His ways, the more we think as He thinks and feel as He feels.
It is only natural when two people spend time together that the person with the weaker personality begins to take on the characteristics of the stronger. We are influenced by those with whom we associate. This principle is revealed in the following verses:
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (Proverbs 13:20 NLT).
Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT).
My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly” (Proverbs 34:22 NLT).
…for bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT).
The Holy Spirit wants to change our carnal thinking so that He can communicate His desires, thoughts, and attitudes to us. As this happens, our minds and emotions will come into perfect harmony with His will. This takes a diligent commitment to the Word of God and sensitivity to His promptings.
The way we really get to know anyone is by spending time with them. For example, when we first saw the person who would become our spouse, most of us began to devise a plan to meet them. Once we met, we developed a plan to continue seeing them.
Many people want a powerful relationship with God, but they will not discipline themselves to seek God in order to obtain it. So they feel defeated before they ever begin. They cannot see themselves really living close to the Lord. And as long as that kind of thinking dominates them, they are destined to a shallow, unfulfilling Christian experience.
Begin to chart the course of your life by putting God and His Word first place in your life. Then you will see just how quickly He will show Himself strong on your behalf. Daniel 11:32 says, “But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
