Lay Down With Dogs You Will Get Fleas
For the past two weeks, I’ve been talking about Lucy Lu, my little rescue pup. I’m calling this the Lucy Series, and I’m continuing this series again today. If you’ve not read the first two posts, here they are for you:
Lucy is like all dogs that go outside to potty; she constantly battles fleas. I try to make sure that I regularly apply flea medicine to her to keep the fleas in check. But, sometimes, a flea will get on her and come into the house before the medicine has time to kill it. I will find a tiny bite on me when that happens since she is always under my feet.
My mother always told me, “If you lie down with dogs, you will get fleas.” I bet you have heard that saying before. This old saying implies that the companions you keep will rub off on you.
We are easily swayed by our “friends” and acquaintances if we are not careful. It can be a slippery slope when we associate with people that we know are doing wrong. You can look at this situation in two different ways. They can be a bad influence on you, OR you can be a good influence on them.
Peer pressure is nothing new. We have been influenced by others since the beginning, and I mean “the beginning” of time. The first time you see someone being swayed by another is in the case of Eve. She was swayed from what she was told because the devil was able to convince her otherwise. Then she, in turn, influenced Adam to follow her path and go against what he had also been told.
I remember once, when I worked outside the home, a young man who went to school with my kids came into the store. It had been two years since I had seen him because he had been in jail. I spoke to him and asked how he was doing. While we talked, I mentioned to him that he needed to ensure he stayed away from anyone he was associating with before he went to jail. He assured me he had cut those people from his life before leaving the store.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Proverbs 13:20
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Psalm 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Peer pressure is nothing new, and unfortunately, it will probably be around until the end of time. So, be vigilant in your choice of friends and those you choose to associate with. Be a light to others, but be careful not to stumble and fall. Call out to the Lord and ask for his guidance. Matthew 5:16 reminds us to:
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Thank you for this! A wonderful reminder!
My husband is a former party animal and was headed towards a life of alcoholism in his younger days. His saying is “you have to get away from old playmates and old playgrounds.” This can apply to any situation that you are trying to correct – maybe you’re a shopaholic, an overeater, maybe you are trying to stop cursing or gossiping?? Who and what you are around can definitely make or break your success and your “fleas”.
Oh my goodness this is such a timely post. God wants us to walk with Him but sometimes we are skirting the line and not with who we should be or who He intended us to associate with, no matter how they may make us laugh or feel. Thanks for such a timely post!!
This is a good reminder
Very true, Tania; we are the company we keep. I enjoy these Sunday posts so much!
Very good advice. I need to stress this more to my grandkids. As far as fleas if there’s one flea it will find me. 😊
Love your Bible verses each day ❤️
The best part of following your blog is Sunday! Lots of blogs about clothes but your inspiration to follow Christ is the best part of the week.
Thank you so much for this devotional. It’s very easy to get off track! Not just children but as an adult. Have a wonderful week!
Very good lesson. I just told my grandson who is attending a new school to always remember that he will be judged by the company he keeps!
I used to get so mad at my Mom when she said if you lie down with dogs you will get up with fleas. Guess what? I said that to my children when they were teenagers too. All through the Bible it talks about you’re known by the company that you keep and they are wise words. Thank you for sharing that.
Isn’t it funny how we can easily turn into our moms?
That is a wonderful lesson for all of us to hold close and steer our life accordingly. Thank you. I enjoy your Sunday Series. Have a wonderful day.🍁🍂
Such a great reminder!! God bless you this week.
thank you for the wisdom in your words! you are such a blessing to those of us who have had the privilege of joining
” the gurls” !
Such true words of wisdom. I pray every day that my grandchildren will be able to resist the influence of peer pressure.
Thank you for this post!
Great post! True words to live by!❤️
Thanks, Mary! Have a great week!
Thank you for your uplifting words. It never hurts to go back to our roots to be reminded of our callings. Plain and simple!
❤️ I like your analogies and the verses that you back them up with. I hope the young man stayed away from trouble.
Love Sunday posts! Had to search for todays it did not come through my email.
Kathryn, I refreshed your subscription. Hopefully, that will work. Be sure to look in your spam, junk, and promotions folders to see if it went there.
Your story has such deep meaning. It is easy to be caught up in the wrong path.
What is glittering is not always gold. God’s way is much richer for the soul.
It is. Friends make such a difference. Have a great week!
Love your uplifting posts and verses. Thank you.
As a high school teacher, peer pressure is such an influence on kids today. So many feel the pressure to do things that are wrong just to fit in. Parents have to be a positive role model
I’m sure you see it all! I’m glad I’m not a teenager today. 🙂
This is such good advice. Have a great Sunday.
I loved this post. Especially on a Sunday. All those quotes are a nice reminder
of what’s really important for the way we live. Bless you Tania
Thanks, Joanne. Have a blessed week!
Very important message for our children and grandchildren entering into those tempting teenage years. I love your Sunday messages.
Thanks, Penny Jo. I appreciate the encouragement. xo
What a great story and good reminder to not get caught up in wrong doing. Have a great weekend!
Debi, it is hard to recognize that someone we love could be a bad influence.
Such a good topic- you would think by the time you get my age I would be well past peer pressure but find weekly I have to step away from some people- grumblers make me grumble and that’s good for no one! Thanks for all the scripture to remember in those times.
Laura, I don’t think we ever get too old to have peer pressure bother us.
Happy Fall. Such great verses and good wisdom for us to follow as your followers.
Thanks so much for sharing what God puts on your heart ♥️ every Sunday morning.
I always enjoy your Sunday morning message. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom.
Beautifully said, Tania! Your Sunday posts have always been my favorites! Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Thanks, Alison! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
This is such a great message! Ive always said to my kids!
It must be a mom thing.
I always enjoy your Sunday posts.
Oh, those pesky fleas! Such a great reminder.
Lol! You are right that they are pesky.
How true, how true.
good thoughts, the principle from our mom’s has been true forever. have a great week.
Yes! Keep good company! Love the Lucy Lu stories.
Lucy is a star. Lol!
Thank you for your Sunday posts. To God goes the glory!
So true! Thanks for the encouraging reminder. God bless you! (And Lucy! 😊)
Thank you ❤🙏 I love your Sunday posts.