In God’s word there are many instances of people being influenced negatively by those around them.  One of those is Solomon.  “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.” (1 Kings 11:1-2)  Even though Solomon was a very wise man, when it came to who he married he did not make wise decisions nor did he follow God’s command.  These decisions had the exact result that God said they would.  “For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” (1 Kings 11:4)  Paul had a similar warning for the people at Corinth (and for us today).  “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5