The Power of Association

Various Scriptures

The 2011 National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game was played this past Sunday in Los Angeles, California. At the beginning of the game, one of the reporters interviewed Kobe Bryant and asked his strategy or his approach to playing during the game Kobe responded by suggesting he’d utilize the skills he’s learned over the years and would basically rely on his jump shot to score. However, when the game started, the superstar played as if his Gatorade bottle were full of beverage from the fountain of youth! He went baseline for a reverse slam dunk in the 1st Quarter. He scored on the inside as well as the outside. On one play, he was ahead of the opposition when he received a pass from a teammate. Instead of just scoring the basket, it appeared as if he slowed down to wait on LeBron James and then dunked the ball as James tried to block the shot! When the reporters asked Kobe about his pre-game comments verses his play on the court, he told them that being around the younger players caused him to play like he did in his younger years.

I defend that the company we keep affects us in ways that we sometimes don’t even imagine. The Message Bible’s rendering of Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church reads, “Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. (1 Corinthians 15:33, GW)” While this passage admonishes us to stay away from bad influences, Psalm 27:17 encourages us to associate with and hang around those who are positive. The Contemporary English Version of that passage reads, “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.” Proverbs 27:17 (CEV)

Always remember that the people you hang around with will influence you one or two ways—either positively or negatively.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, help us to associate with people who will add to our lives and not influence us negatively, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Confession:
Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail
Above only and not beneath
The lender and not the borrower
The conqueror and not the conquered

I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness
And for delivering my life from death and destruction
So that I shall live and not die to declare your works

I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body
For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed
Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee

I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,
but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do

I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life
For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus
Thank You that all things are working together for my good
And that You always cause me to triumph

This is the day that you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
In Jesus Name, amen.