I shared this one time with the Youth Group:

Have you ever caught yourself saying something completely out of the blue?

I was reading a devotion talking about a guy who was talking with a group of friends and instead of nodding in agreement or saying “I agree with that” out of nowhere the man shouted, “Boom!” The look on their faces was probably the look you have right now after reading that.

“Did he just say boom?”

The man went on to say, “I had no idea where it came from. It’s not a response I’d usually make, so I brushed it off and moved on. Until later that same evening, I did it again! Then again and again!!”

A few weeks later the man was talking to a guy he works with, and when he said something he agreed with, he yelled out, “Boom!” Suddenly, the lightbulb went off in his head. His coworker is the reason he keeps saying boom to everything. He had rubbed off on him and he didn’t even realize it!

That story is silly, but it’s an example of a real biblical principle.

Who you surround yourself with will influence who you are more than you can imagine.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Here’s my question for you today. What are you being sharpened toward? Are you being sharpened toward the things of God, or are you being sharpened toward the world?

There is an old saying, perhaps maybe you’ve even heard it that says, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”?

Your friends are influencing who you are today and who you will be tomorrow.

You are being sharpened, and you are sharpening others. This is why it’s vital that your closest friendships are with other believers. When one of us is going through a hard time, we can pray for and come alongside each other in the fight. When someone is going through a great time, we can celebrate with each other instead of being competitive or jealous like the world is.

I encourage you to ask the Lord, “How am I being sharpened?” If you need Christian friends, ask Him to guide you and connect you with people.

Maybe He’s asking you to lead and be the one who is sharpening others toward the things of God. Allow Him to speak and you will be sharpened in your faith and experience all God has for you.

“BOOM!”

Prayer: “Father, how am I being sharpened? My desire is to know You more so please bless my friendships that we could be people who encourage one another to grow and be closer to You. Thank You for leading me and guiding me. I trust You with my friendships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”