2 Chronicles 18--25 The Powerful Influence of Peers

1 Corinthians 15:33   Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

     We often greatly underestimate the influence that our peers have upon who we are and where we will end up in life.  God clearly teaches in this passage that developing peer relationships with the evil will be a corrupting force in the lives of Christians.  This is demonstrated in the narrative of the life of Joash as presented in Second Chronicles chapter twenty-four.

     Joash began his reign as king at the very young age of seven.  His ministry as the king of Judah was very successful in the beginning years due primarily to the influence of Jehoida the priest upon his life according to verse two-- 2 Chronicles 24:2   And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.  The turning point of Joash's life and ministry came after the death of Jehoida as Joash developed a new set of peers.  Verses seventeen and eighteen --2 Chronicles 24:17-18   Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.  18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.-- describe Joash's decline into idolatry.  The only difference in the life of Joash at this point is that the princes of Judah have become his peers.  His eventual ignoble demise was a direct result of the peers he chose.

     We must be careful to choose peers that cultivate biblical thinking and living in our lives. This does not mean that we have no relationships with the lost. We are just not to allow those relationships that should be ministry for us as we witness to our lost family, friends, and neighbors, to become peer relationships. Peers are important because peers will reproduce themselves in our lives. It is just as important that we seek to be the type of peers that cultivates biblical thinking and living in the lives of others.

Daily Devotional- Mark 10:17-31  The Rich Young Ruler