A pastor told a church member to remove his earrings. The member questioned why, pointing out that celebrities and successful people wear earrings. The pastor asked how many high-profile leaders like presidents or bank CEOs the member had seen wearing earrings. After thinking about this, the member removed the earrings, realizing he was following the wrong models.
Friend, you need to choose your models correctly (Isaiah 51:1-2). The truth is, models abound for whoever you want to become. It is your responsibility to choose the right one. If you want to be a bad person, there is someone out there who would model that for you, and if you want to do well in life, models abound for such. You need to choose rightly (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Stop giving excuses for your wrong behaviours (SoS 1:6). When a young lady points to a celebrity out there who’s had children for different men as a validation for promiscuity, she needs to realise that there are a lot more people who are still upholding chastity in their relationships and marriage (Proverbs 31:10-31). It depends on where you look.
Samuel was in the house of Eli, learning God in the same environment that Eli’s children were living a wayward life (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel grew as a prophet of God while the sons of Eli were said to be sons of Belial (1 Samuel 2:12). The next time you use your environment as an excuse for the way you turn out, look at Samuel.
In life, there would be many unconscious teachers and models, but you must never be an unconscious learner (Philippians 4:9). What are you learning? Who are you learning from? What are you becoming? If what you are becoming is wrong or inconsistent with your destiny, then check and change your model (1 Corinthians 11:1).
We need the right models to arise (1 Timothy 4:12). In church, older women should model chastity and marital excellence for the younger ones (Titus 2:1-5). God is looking for Christians who would model integrity and excellence in business. Our young ones need men and women who would model excellence in career and calling to them. May the Lord depend on you.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria