Choose Your Crew Wisely

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Gentlemen, every day is a battle. A battle for your faith, your family, and your purpose. The men who stand strong don't prepare when the battle arrives. They prepare before it begins. Welcome to the Men's Morning Devotional. Let's get into God's word. It's time to man up.

Steve Alessi 0:26

Good morning, gentlemen. It's Steve Alesi, and it's time to step up to another man up moment. And today, as we look at wisdom principles, we're going to talk about how every man chooses his influence. Proverbs chapter 1, verse 10 says, My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. There are only nine words in today's verse, but they carry a lifetime of wisdom. It says, My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. Now notice something important here. Solomon doesn't say, if temptation comes as though it might happen. In other words, temptation isn't a possibility. Come on, gentlemen, it's a certainty, especially for those of us who are trying to live for God daily. As men, we will all be enticed. You'll be enticed to compromise your integrity. You'll be enticed to look at something you shouldn't. You'll be enticed to cut corners in business. You'll be enticed to flirt with someone who's not your wife. You see, the enemy rarely begins with destruction. He begins with an invitation. Come on. No one will know. Everyone's doing it. You deserve this. It's only one time. You see, the enemy is a great salesman. He's always advertising the pleasure, but he never mentions the price. That's why Solomon says, do not give in. Not don't argue with it or don't see how close you can get or don't try to manage it. He simply says, don't give in. Real strength isn't found in seeing how much temptation you can handle. It's found in walking away before temptation gets a foothold. We all know this. That one bad decision can damage a marriage, and one dishonest act can destroy a career, and one secret habit can rob you of your peace, and one compromise can take years to rebuild. That's why wise men don't just resist sin, they remove themselves from situation that makes compromise easier. Here's another truth every man needs to remember the people closest to you will either strengthen your convictions or wink in them. The men you hunt with, work with, vacation with, text throughout the day, these buds are either pulling you closer to Christ or they're pulling you away from him. Strong men, they don't surround themselves with people who make sin easier. They surround themselves with brothers who make righteousness normal. So choose your circle wisely because your friends will influence the direction of your life long before you recognize it. So here's your man up challenge. Today, ask yourself two honest questions. Let's go deep here, guys. First, who is influencing me? And then, who am I becoming because of that influence? Is there a friendship, a conversation, a social media account, a website, or an environment that's constantly pulling you away from God? If it is, then have the courage to create some distance. Then reach out to one godly man, send him a text, invite him to coffee, ask him to hold you accountable. Because every strong man needs strong men around him. And remember, every temptation is an invitation, but every godly man gets to choose whether he accepts it. So today, man up. Let's pray. Father, thank you for warning us before temptation comes. Give me the wisdom to recognize compromise before it takes root, and the courage to walk away when I'm enticed. Surround me with men who challenge me to love you more, to live with integrity, and to finish my race well. Help me become the kind of man who influences others towards righteousness. In Jesus' name, amen.

SPEAKER_01 4:46

All right, gentlemen, you've heard God's word. Now go live it. Lead well, stand strong, honor God in everything you do. Share this devotional with another brother. Remember, every day is another opportunity to man up.