Who wants to be blessed? I think that would be an easy “yes” for most people. After all, who wouldn’t want to receive the favor of the God of the universe? However, the God who blesses those He wills is just as capable of cursing those He wills (cf. Gen. 12:3). So, how do we make sure that we will receive God’s blessings?
We know that all of God’s blessings are found in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph. 1:3; Gal. 3:14; John 1:16), and we know that remaining in Christ is a matter of behaving like Christ. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). So, if we want to receive God’s blessings, then we need to guard ourselves from being turned back to the behavior of the world.
One of the primary methods Satan uses to turn us from God’s favor is through bad influences. If we want to fit in with a group, we naturally tend to adapt to their behaviors. So, if we choose the wrong group to mesh with, we will inevitably adapt to the wrong behaviors.
In the First Psalm, we are shown some ways to know if we are in a group that leads to God’s blessings or cursing. The psalmist tells us about a man who is blessed and the things he does and doesn’t do. Interestingly, all the things the blessed man doesn’t do have to do with the people he surrounds himself with. If we want to be blessed like this man, then we need to do three things.
First, do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Where do you go for advice? 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us plainly, “Bad company corrupts good habits.” We need to be picky about who we listen to. If someone is living an ungodly life, then you cannot expect them to point you in a godly direction. Don’t lose your blessing over bad advice.
Second, do not sit in the path of sinners. Who do you spend your time with? 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” We need to be picky about who we spend our time with. If we spend our days with immoral people, it is only a matter of time before we start participating in their sins. Don’t lose your blessing for popularity.
Third, do not sit in the seat of the scornful. What do you talk about with friends? Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification…” If catching up on “the tea” seems to always be part of your hangouts, then you are already sitting in the seat of scorn. Do not lose your blessing over juicy gossip.
Are your friends keeping you from God’s blessings?