What Happens When You Are Standing Close To Danger?

Who are you close with right now that you probably need to distance yourself from?

Maybe it’s a relationship, a marriage, someone you are dating, or a friendship. The list goes on. You know it’s not good for you, but for some reason, you are still there. Why?

WHY BRING THIS UP TODAY

Back in the day, Jeremiah told God’s people living in Babylon something similar. He said:

“Run away from Babylon and save your lives! Don’t stay and be killed because of Babylon’s sins. It is time for the LORD to punish Babylon; he will give Babylon the punishment she deserves.” (Jeremiah 51:6 NCV)

So, what was happening here? Babylon was a powerful nation God had used to discipline His own people because of their disobedience. But Babylon was also full of pride, wickedness, and idolatry. Now God was preparing to punish Babylon for its sins. Through Jeremiah, God warned His people to get out before they were caught up in the destruction.

DON’T GET ENTANGLED

In other words, don’t stay so close to something God is warning you about that you end up suffering the consequences of someone else’s sin.

Think about that. When we continually walk near darkness, we can eventually get caught up in that darkness. Sometimes we become so comfortable around sinful behavior that we stop recognizing it as sinful. What once bothered our conscience no longer bothers us.

The Apostle Paul warned us: “Do not be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NCV)

SO WHO DO WE HANG WITH?

Now, I’m not suggesting we live in some kind of holy bubble, avoiding everyone who doesn’t believe or live like we do. Actually, Jesus did just the opposite!

In Matthew 9:10–13, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. The religious leaders questioned Him about it. Jesus explained that healthy people don’t need a doctor; sick people do. He came to call sinners, not those who considered themselves righteous.

Jesus didn’t run away from people who needed help. He went toward them. But here’s the difference: Jesus was influencing them rather than allowing their sin to influence Him.

SO HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?

Jesus also said, “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 NCV) He went on to explain that nobody lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl. Instead, they put it where everyone can benefit from its light.

THE INFLUENCE

So here’s the practical question: Are you bringing light into someone’s darkness, or are you allowing their darkness to dim your light?

Think about the people you spend time with. Are they encouraging you to become more like Christ, or are you slowly compromising what you know is right? Are you making excuses for behavior you once knew was wrong?

Sometimes loving someone means staying close enough to help them. Other times, it means establishing healthy boundaries, refusing to participate in their destructive behavior, or getting away from danger.

CONCLUSION

God didn’t call us to hide from the darkness. He called us to be a light in it. But we must be careful that, while trying to rescue someone else, we don’t get pulled into the very darkness we’re trying to help them escape.

So ask yourself two questions today: How are the people around me influencing my life? And how am I influencing theirs?

GOD, help me be the light in the darkness. Give me wisdom to recognize relationships that are drawing us away from You. Give me the courage to establish boundaries when necessary, but never allow me to become so judgmental that we stop loving people who need You. Help me influence others toward Christ rather than allowing darkness to influence me. People need help and freedom, the help and freedom You offer through Jesus Christ. IJNIP amen ♥️

(Wendy biking in London)