Guilty by Association



The phrase, “Birds of a feather flock together” can be interpreted as meaning, the company that an individual keeps.  It is a direct reflection of who they are or want to be; and how others perceive them.  “You are what you eat” also speaks of external influences that play an important part in the general make-up, attitude, and nature of people.

I believe, deep down inside, that most everyone cares what others think about them, and strive to rise above the so-called, “mediocre existence,” which brings us to the crux of this writing. 

The environment that we are associated with can produce a heavy stigma that affects not only our success in life, but the success of our offspring as well.  Where and how we raise our children can dictate the type of person they become and the kind of people they hang with, date, and marry.

Please notice that I used the word, can.  Life is not a cookie cutter affair.  There are variations in all walks of life; in all backgrounds and surroundings.

Just as proper nutrition is important to a healthy body, where we place our allegiance directly impacts not only ourselves, but on those that we have influence.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” speaks of choices we make in life that determine accountability and responsibility.  Being careful to not build a makeshift existence is something that we should all strive for.  The dividends are numerous. 

Our life touches so many other lives that it boggles the mind to think how many people that we persuade through our actions, verbiage and the company we keep.  We are guilty by association in the eyes of others.  How we live our life; the involvements and attachments we maintain; are very influential and most significant, to say the least. 

Some of these onlookers will more than likely pattern their life after ours, whether we want them to or not.  This can be a positive or negative influence depending upon what we view as important—taking into account where and what type of treasures we pursue. 

(Matthew 6:19-23), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;” vs.20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”  vs.21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  vs.22 “The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.”  vs.23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Written by,

Papa Boyd