Strengthened or Weakened by the Company We Keep

We are strengthened or weakened by the company we keep. When we walk with Christ, He is our strength. Those who love Him are our companions who rejoice with us, weep with us, and carry our burdens with us, we are Spiritual siblings who care about one another deeply.

Philippians 2:2-4 … 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

There is no greater joy than to walk with those who are like-minded, enjoying the same blessing of Spiritual thinking that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Younger folks ought to revere those who have been in the faith much longer than themselves.

1 Peter 5:5 "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Galatians 5:26
"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another."

Ephesians 4:2
"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"

Colossians 3:12-13
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

In recent years, I have come to grieve from time to time over the lack of respect demonstrated by the younger generation. We have two generations now who have been trained to think of themselves more highly than is warranted, while bullying their elders as though they are entitled to special treatment.

 
God said it would be this way at the end of days before Christ comes to take out the church. Church gatherings have become social well-being centers instead of disciples willing to obey Scripture. More Scripture is violated than obeyed. More cultic practices have infiltrated and more angst toward instruction is dominating the gatherings.

 
Matthew 23:12
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

God's instruction has been destroyed in the gatherings while myths and lies dominate.

Romans 12:16
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited."

Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom."

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"

Notice God told us in this passage to keep preaching the word and telling the truth, but also know they will not listen. Our job is to obey even if they will not listen, moving on when they resist. The more they resist, the harder their hearts become. Hebrews 3