In thinking about mentors in your own life, what is it about them you find inspiring? Whom you chose to model aspects of your life after is truly important. I have various mentors around me but perhaps those with the most important impact on my being are those who model a Christian walk with the Lord.
The Bible shares a great deal about the importance of good company. Here are a few points:
- Proverbs 22:24-25, “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” We are influenced by those we spend time with; picking up good or bad habits. It’s important to follow the ways of those who seek the righteousness of God.
- Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Again, this is talking about becoming like those we invest time in. When spending time with those who are wise, we learn their ways and tips as we store their insight in our hearts. This is why it’s so important to store the word of God in our hearts and carry it with us. The Bible is full of teaching on wise living and success; the more time we spend with God in the Bible, the more likely we are to apply His wisdom in our lives.
- Proverbs 24:1-2, “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.” Too often people will look up with admiration to those in high positions or celebrities who are Godless and corrupt because of their proclaimed success. It’s not worth selling your soul out for. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
The bottom line here is, if you value favor with God and eternal “success”, follow the ways of Christ and seek inspiration from wise, Godly people. Those who wish to be greedy or choose the mentorship of someone who is foolish will likely become like them and fall right into the trap that Satan would have them be in. The greatest mentor any of us have been given is Jesus Christ. He has taught us how to treat one another, how to come to God, and about faith. Since it’s He that we as Christians long to spend eternity with, it makes sense to learn His ways.
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Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.