We become like the people we hang around.
As we try to grow in our lives, we find ourselves associating with different people. People who are what we are seeking to become. Inevitably, those we are trying to separate from will try to drag us back down. They will criticize, chide or even attack us. Their goal is to get us to respond in kind. When we fall for their tricks, we become like them and find ourselves back in their circles.
As difficult as it may be, we must resist the urge to retaliate. We must ignore their attempts to get our attention. We must continue to press forward in the direction we need to go.
It’s never easy to refrain from giving an answer, but it is absolutely necessary if we are going to be like Jesus.
Joel Stiff's Adventure 