In this week’s devotional, we are going to be talking about something mostly seen as not necessary, but very vital in your walk with God: relationships.

Whether we realize it or not, the people close to and around us help shape the direction of our lives. While God gives us individual callings in the line of every believer’s purpose, He rarely calls us to walk them out in isolation. The people we surround ourselves with either help us stay aligned or pull us to the opposite.

1 Corinthians 15:33
New King James Version
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Have you ever looked back at a season in your life and wondered, “How did I end up here?” Not in a physical sense, but emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Maybe you were more prayerful, more sensitive to God’s voice, more focused on your goals. But over time, something shifted. You started tolerating things you once avoided. Your standards loosened. Your convictions faded. And if you trace it closely, it usually started with one thing: a relationship.

We often think it’s the “big” moments that change us. But sometimes, it’s the slow, quiet influence of the people we let close.

The Bible is full of reminders that who you walk with shapes who you become.

Let’s look at Proverbs 13:20
New King James Version
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

If you’re constantly surrounded by people who gossip, doubt God, chase after the world, or justify compromise, it’s only a matter of time before their voice becomes louder than God’s in your life. You don’t even realize how much you’re changing until you notice your heart doesn’t burn the same way it used to.

Acts 13:2
New Kings James Version
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Paul and Barnabas were not just two guys randomly paired. Their relationship was divinely aligned for their assignment. And because they walked in agreement with God’s purpose, they were used mightily.

God aligns relationships, and these are the people who will be a constant reminder of God’s plan in your life. Friends who call you out when you’re slipping, pray with/for you, who remind you of the vision God gave you when you’re ready to quit. They don’t always tell you what you want to hear, but they tell you what you need.

Those are the kind of relationships that keep you aligned.

Sometimes, we entertain people who have no business walking that closely with us. They may not be “bad” people. They could even be fun, funny, or helpful in some ways. But if they consistently distract you from God, minimize your convictions, or make obedience feel like “too much”, then they are not aligned with where God is taking you.

When Peter tried to be a good disciple to Jesus by rebuking what He had come to do, see how Jesus responded.

Matthew 16:23
New King James Version
23 Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.

Peter really did mean well, but Jesus understood that not every voice deserves access to your vision. Even those close to you, even those who mean well, can become a deviation if you’re not discerning.

One of the hardest things about divine relationships is that they don’t always feel comfortable. They stretch you. They call you higher. They won’t let you stay in the shallow end when you’re called to go deeper.

Hebrews 12:11 tells us:
New King James Version
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The same is true with godly relationships. They may feel stretching, but they produce fruit.

So, I ask you today, are your close friends pushing you toward obedience or pulling you away from it?

If you decide to be another person far away from the Godly relationship you have now, will your circle pray for you? Will they call you to order? Or will they say it’s not their life anyway?

Ask valid questions like:
Can my circle agree with me in prayer?
If God gives me a big-sized vision, will my friends help amplify, give all support, or will they show me all the impossibilities?
When you’re struggling spiritually, who do you go to?
Do they point you back to God or just give their own opinions?
Do they help you guard your heart or feed your impulses?

This isn’t about being judgmental or cutting people off; it’s about being intentional. Your destiny is too important to be casual about influence.

You don’t need perfect people around you, but you do need purposeful ones.

Letting go doesn’t always mean a dramatic exit. Sometimes, it’s just adjusting access.

Conclusively, you can ask God to bring divinely orchestrated friends your way.

Proverbs 27:17 says,
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

The people closest to you aren’t just for vibes and fun; they can greatly influence who you are.

Prayer Point
Lord, open my eyes to see purposeful relationships and the ones pulling me away. I am more discerning in guarding my heart, and I have wisdom to walk with the wise. Help me to release what no longer aligns with your will for me.