THE INFLUENCES AROUND US

THE INFLUENCES AROUND US All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad. Psalm 45:8 We cannot be too careful about the influences we allow into our lives because each one leaves its mark on us, either for beauty or for harm. When my brothers and I were teenagers, the violent shooting games were a new thing and Mom refused to have them in the house. She thought that shooting people, even in "fantasy" or make-believe war was very wrong. And time has certainly shown the wisdom of her conviction, as we see that society is now addicted to violence in all our entertainment media. We are paying the price for it, too.  Instead of worldly attractions, we should seek constant fellowship with those who are good, pure, and holy. When we spend time with people like this, we unconsciously absorb something of their sweetness, beauty, and the aroma of heavenliness that surrounds them. We take on the qualities of whatever we see, touch, or spend time with. So choose your associations, and your entertainments, carefully. What would Jesus do?