Human beings are influenced by those with whom they spend time. 

I don’t suppose that comes as a surprise to you, but it is an easy truth to forget. And the Bible reminds Christians that the people they spend time with can have a positive or a negative influence on them. 

Spending time in the company of other people who are seeking to follow Christ is one of the ways in which God wants Christians to be encouraged and inspired. 
We read in Hebrews chapter 10: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” The writer knows that, without this mutual encouragement, it will be hard to persevere. 

So if you are a Christian, it’s very important to find a church where the teaching is faithful to God’s word, where the people you meet are eager to welcome and support you, and where you are able to serve others. Sadly, not every church you visit will do these things. So don’t be afraid to keep looking until you find one that does. 

Psalm 1 also reminds Christians that they will be influenced by those with whom they keep company: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

Notice the way in which the psalmist describes what the blessed man is not like. This ‘unblessed’ man goes from walking, to standing, to sitting: he is gradually grinding to a halt. How does this happen? It begins simply by walking alongside ‘the wicked’, listening to their ‘counsel’, getting their advice and perspective on the world. If this carries on long enough, he’ll begin to pick up their habits and attitudes for himself. Finally, he ends up sitting ‘in the seat of mockers’ – not only participating in this way of life, but actually mocking those who don’t. 

Likewise, Proverbs chapter 13 verse 20 says: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” For the Christian, this means – among other things – that they must spend time in the company of other Christians, especially those who are just a bit further in their Christian walk than us.

• Adapted from Rico Tice, Christianity Explored, p. 107. The Good Book Company.