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Prov. 12: 26 “The righteous should choose his friends carefully for the way of the wicked will lead them astray.” Gangs, wrong peer groups, and the wrong company have led many a young person astray. Often it leads to a life of crime if the influence is evil enough to pull them to do wrong things to earn the respect of the group. Oftentimes the group becomes a substitute family, and their control over the gullible and easily persuadable is mind-boggling. Whoever influences you will determine your destiny. We see what is wrong with our culture, particularly our youth to do certain things by who influences us. We go astray to do things that past generations wouldn't think of because of bad role models in many venues. We need godly friends, for in doing so, they will foster godliness instead of just the opposite that is happening today. There is a reason why Jesus traveled with His disciples long-term. He wanted to pour His influence into their lives and eventually give them the Holy Spirit to change their lives and the world through them. The church ought to be one of the best influences on people because we attempt to promote godliness. I have seen people drop out of Bible-believing churches and pick up the same old speech, the same old habits, the same old lifestyle of people without God. New Christians must be paired with mature ones for discipleship. Small groups in whatever form ought to lead to godly living. Let God you through godly people. There is enough wrong influences that bring anyone down if we let them. Seek out those promoting a godly and fruitful destiny as God’s child. --- Dan Nelson