How The People You Fellowshipped With Can Have Influence Over Your Percepti

How the people you fellowshipped with can have influence over your perception?

2 Samuel 10:1-5 (NKJV)

It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. [2] Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the people of Ammon.

[3] And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Has David not rather sent his servants to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"

[4] Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of their beards, cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away. [5] When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

In this story, David did not react to this situation after what Hanun did to his servants. (which is a sign of maturity).

It is only when the Hanun hired Syrians to fight with them. David had no choice but to destroy them.

The result was, forty thousand horsemen were killed.

Why?

Because Hanun had the wrong perception. Why? Because Hanun was influenced by the wrong people.

The definition of perception.

a result of perceiving, the process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation

It is important as Christians that we are not influence with the wrong people.

The bible tells us in the last days.

1 Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 Tim. 3:13 (NKJV) But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

1 John 2:26 (NKJV) These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

The Bible warns us about choosing our friends:

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

1. The ungodly man—one uninfluenced by God. in can be a Christian too have not regards of God. Jesus Christ is not Lord over his life.

2. The sinner—he who adds to ungodliness transgression

3. The scornful—the deist, atheist, etc., who make a mock of every thing sacred.

The UNGODLY man walks, the SINNER stands, and the SCORNFUL man sits down in the way of iniquity.

Mark certain circumstances of their differing characters and conduct.

1. The ungodly man has his counsel;

2. The sinner has his way; and,

3. The scorner has his seat.

The ungodly man is unconcerned about religion; he is neither zealous for his own salvation, nor for that of others: and he counsels and advises those with whom he converses to adopt his plan, and not trouble themselves about praying, reading, repenting, etc., etc. there is no need for such things; live an honest life, make no fuss about religion, and you will fare well enough at last.

Now, “blessed is the man who walks not in this man’s counsel;” who does not come into his measures, nor act according to his plan.

The sinner has his particular way of transgressing; one is a drunkard, another dishonest, another unclean. Each has his easily besetting sin; therefore, says the prophet, let the wicked forsake HIS WAY. Now, blessed is he who stands not in such a man’s WAY.

The scorner has brought, in reference to himself, all religion and moral feeling to an end. His conscience is seared; and he is a believer in all unbelief. Now, blessed is the man who sits not down in his SEAT.

See the correspondent relations in this account.

1. He who walks according to the counsel of the ungodly will soon,

2. Stand to look on the wag of sinners; and thus, being off his guard, he will soon be a partaker in their evil deeds.

3. He who has abandoned himself to transgression will, in all probability, soon become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin; and sit down with the scorner, and endeavor to turn Christianity into ridicule.

In the New Testament

2 Cor. 6:12-15

[14] Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

Paul’s use of “yoke” comes from Deut. 22:10, where the Israelites were directed not to yoke an ox and donkey together. The ox was a clean animal but the donkey was not (Deut. 14:1–8). Moreover, from a practical standpoint, the two animals had different work styles and different natures.