OUR DAILY BREAD             Sat., April 29, 1995
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READ: 2 Chronicles 22:1-9

             THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

      "Who has bewitched you that you should
               not obey the truth?"

                        -- Galatians 3:1

All those years of training in good grammar couldn't
stand up to a few hours of being with a friend who
mangles the language.  That was my observation recently
as I overheard my second-grade son Steven talking with
one of his friends.

I had listened as Steven's buddy used poor English again
and again,.  I was surprised by his word choices, but I
was really taken aback when I heard Steven talking the
same way. He doesn't usually talk like that -- at least he
didn't until a little peer pressure got to him.

It was another illustration of the power of others to change
the way we think.  We carefully guide our children to use
proper speech patterns, but the influence of one friend can
undo all that.

Think about how this principle affects much more important
choices.  Consider Ahaziah in 2 Chronicles.  He was
influenced by his mother to do wrong (v. 3).  As a result,
"He did evil in the sight of the Lord" (v. 4).  His godly
grandfather Jehoshaphat surely had some influence on Ahaziah,
but it was the evil persuasion of Athaliah that marked his
course.

We can be manipulated!  So we must be careful about who
or what influences us and stay close to our Father, the
source of all that is good and right.

                                -- J. David Branon

        Be sure that those in whom you trust
              Are led by God each day;
          For if they let the devil guide,
             They could lead you astray.

                                -- JDB
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           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
------------------------------------------
     Choose your companions with care --
       you may become what they are.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  2 Chronicles 20-22

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