”….beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God….” 3 John 1:11 (NKJV)
Our world today is full of so many negative influences and some of these influences are subtle. You may not think they can influence you negatively, but they have such abilities. For example, something as little as a song can go a long way toward being an influence and before long you would want to start saying the things they said in such songs and in most cases, you may even want to dance the way they danced in the music video, but the question is, are you truly imitating what is good? The answer is a big no. Beloved, you must become mindful of who and what you are imitating because they go a long way toward determining your outcome.
Years ago, I went to train some members in the choir department, and I asked the brethren, Who would you want to be like in the long run? Who is your role model? Some of them made mention of some Christian music ministers and a young man said he would like to be like a particular secular musician. He said this guy was his role model, and the person he was talking about was very much in the world and he has a wild lifestyle. So, I said to him, You are supposed to preach to this person and not desire to be like him. Well, after all was said and done, he wasn’t so convinced but you see, this is one mistake many believers are still making. They imitate the wrong things, and this is not God’s plan for our lives. If you must make anyone your role model, let it be Christ. There is nothing wrong with having mentors that you can learn from, but don’t have mentors who are not following Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle had an understanding of this truth and he said “…imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ…”1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV). So, as you journey in your Christian walk, make a conscious decision to imitate what is good. The Bible says in our opening text, ”…beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God….=” 3 John 1:11 (NKJV). Halleluiah!
Today’s Rhema
As you walk with God, the proof that you are truly following Him is to imitate what is good!
Confession for the Day
I am grateful for my union with God in Christ Jesus. I therefore declare that the grace to imitate what is good is at work in me and by the power of the Holy Spirit, men and women are coming to the brightness of my rising because of this in Jesus. Amen!
