About rejecting the influence of weakness in others…

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (NIV)

Without knowing it, we can be drawn in and drawn down into a dark abyss by the influence of weakness in others. If we are dependent or weak in some areas, the weakness in others can combine with our own weakness to bring true misery in our life and in the life of others. We are to be strong for others. We are to be strong enough for others so we can pick up those around us who are weak. We are to reject the weakness of others while accepting others as children of God who need strength. Others need both our strength and the strength of God. When others sin, you must reject this sin. When others bring anger to you, reject the anger and give back love. The world is full of sin. In every possible way, reject the sin of the world. Sin in any human being weakens and in no way strengthens. Sin in the world weakens the world. If we participate in any way in the sin of the world, we participate in weakening rather than strengthening. If we participate in sinful behaviors, even in some complicit way, we weaken others and we take others away from the heart, love, and destiny of God.