1 Samuel 2:18
“But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.”
Too many times I find people who allow their surroundings to dictate what their actions are going to be. When a person allows their surroundings to dictate their actions, then that person will become an unstable and undependable person in life.
Samuel was in one of these situations where he could have allowed his surroundings to dictate his actions. When you read the verses prior to the verse above, you will see that the sons of Eli were wicked men. You must understand that Samuel grew up around these wicked men, yet he did not allow their lifestyle to influence how he lived. Instead, we see in the verse above that Samuel ministered before the LORD as he was supposed to do.
Each of us must be very careful about allowing our surroundings to dictate our actions. In order to serve God successfully, you must learn to make truth the influence of your actions. Whether or not anyone else is doing right, you must do right because truth commands you to do right.
For instance, you cannot allow the attitude of others to determine what your attitude is going to be. Just because everyone else around you gripes and complains does not mean that you have to gripe and complain. You must choose to have the right attitude when others do not have the right attitude.
You must choose to live right when those around you are not living right. When you live in a home where most of those around you do not care about serving God, you must decide to serve God and do right anyway. On the job when others are not doing right, you cannot allow them to dictate whether or not you are going to do right. You must live right at all times.
Likewise, you must not serve God because those around you are serving God. I know this sounds strange, but you must serve God because it's right to serve God. If the only reason you serve God is because everyone around you is serving God, then when those around you stop serving God, you will stop serving Him as well.
It is going to take God's help and determination if you are going to do right in spite of your surroundings. Yes, it will be hard and difficult at times, but doing right is never easy.
Determine right now that you are going to be like Samuel who did right in spite of his surroundings. Take control of your life and actions, and do right because right is right to do.
To contact Evangelist Allen Domelle, send an email to contact@oldpathsjournal.com.
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