Watch who you let close

With topics like this, it is important to communicate with kindness, concrete concepts, and the right words, yet we must understand how serious the presence of others is and the repercussions they bring into our lives. The very first step is not to judge others, but to recognize where exactly you are standing by choice. Relationships at the most significant levels include family members, friends, and romantic partners. With friends and partners, I beg you to be very discerning. Unlike family, whom we know for life, these are people who often appear out of the blue; pay close attention to the environment, conditions, and activities in which you meet them. We do not get to choose the family into which we are born, but through the friendships and other relationships including romantic ones, as professional relationships we choose, we demonstrate our nature and our ability to discern. Let us be clear: sometimes friends, romantic partners, and even family members have to go if their influence is not good, if they cause pain, or if they represent evil.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”

— 1 Corinthians 15:33

The word “Relationship”—composed of Relation + Ship—can be understood as a vessel that dictates our destination. It is a form of transportation through the time, space, and conditions we will navigate in the life God gives us. If the people we are in a “ship” with are of good nature, good will come to us; we will reach a safe harbor. But if they are not, harm will come straight to us, and pain will mark its presence.

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

— Proverbs 13:20

re·la·tion

/rəˈlāSHən/
The way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected; a thing’s effect on or relevance to another.

ship

/SHip/
noun
a vessel larger than a boat for transporting people or goods by sea.
Similar:
vessel, craft, boat, artifact designed and used to transport.

The Obligation to Guard Your Life

As humans created in God’s image and knowledgeable of His word, we have the obligation to guard our life, our present, and our future. Sometimes, blessings are blocked from your life not because of the Devil, but because of your relationships and your double standards. To see blessings and success, you must honor God and the good nature of things by living according to His commandments. With that said, it is clear that sometimes we must be absolute and say goodbye—not because we are harsh, but because it is correct and necessary to comply with God’s word.

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

— 2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not take it lightly if one of your friends is addicted to drugs or alcohol, is sexually degenerated, or commits crimes. It is your moral obligation to protect yourself and that which is of value around your life. We must also understand that our human desires can turn us into self-destructive beings; this is not something God wants for us. We must not weigh personal opinion and convenient desires against the absolute standard of what is correct. Operating with double standards and a dual morality is one of the most profound reasons why we, as humans, suffer.

“A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

— James 1:8

From movies and TV shows that promote degeneration and evil—including content on social media—to friends who influence us toward a promiscuous life degenerated by drugs and alcohol, we are under constant attack. From video games that promote murder and violence to pornography and the following of celebrities whose lyrics mention Satan in times and include all the above evil mentioned, we must be vigilant. Let us not take these things lightly, or we will know pain and harm by choice.

“I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”

— Psalm 101:3

Let us understand one thing clearly: the people who are truly of value in our lives will want more for us, to see us succeed, and will not want more from us in a selfish way. The people that matter will listen, pay attention to what we say, and try to be a good presence—not out of caprice, but through a relationship of good nature where trust is never abused. The people of value in your life will use two words with honesty: their “YES” will be “YES,” and their “NO” will be “NO.” They will honor their word and call your attention when you are about to harm yourself. Good relationships are clear to see, are constant and honest as well as formed by people who honor their word and promises. Good relationships are clearly defined by people who protect us from others, and even from ourselves, when we are making mistakes.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

— Proverbs 27:6

Written by: Rhet A. Marini