College is perhaps the one place where individuals are most challenged, most in search of identity, and most in search of answers. Most often it is people, places, and things that hold these answers—what we allow to influence us truly molds us.

These past few days I have been reflecting on and mulling over and pondering deeply this idea of “influence.” All of us have an opportunity to look back on our middle school, high school, and college experiences and remember where certain people “went wrong” because of the people they hung out with or the kinds of things they decided to partake in.

Maybe we’re thinking of the goody-two-shoes who got involved with that guy and instantly became another “easy” girl. Maybe we’re thinking of the kid next door, the one we used to play with on summer nights, who got involved with the wrong guys at school and ended up smoking weed on those summer nights instead. Maybe we’re thinking of ourselves.

Regardless, the truth stands as such: the people and things you surround yourself with, the influences you encourage and hold fast to, will end up molding you and shaping you. These influences take the face of music, activities, interests, etc. But the epitome of this influence is, of course, none other than the kind of company you keep.

Your friends, your peers, people your age, will influence you perhaps more than anyone else. And you have the power to listen to, and ultimately choose, those peers.

I understand that in the classroom, lunchroom, workplace, and break room it may be hard to remember your roots. Your values. Because these influences crowd around you with glamour and fun and present you with the opportunity of a good time. But we have to remember that sin is appealing–if it wasn’t, no one would do it. Being accepted is inviting–if it wasn’t, no one would care about fitting in.

But these influences (I’m referencing negative influences, mind you) are screamed against in the Bible. God warns us and warns us and warns us again to be mindful of the company we keep, and to stay clear of fools.

A fool is anyone who acts wrongfully, aware of the consequences, yet continues to do those same actions. “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless,” Proverbs 14:16 ESV. Don’t be a fool.

1 Corinthians 15:33 is a verse that spells it out quite clearly: “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character” (NIV). Do not be misled by either the glamour nor the promise of a “good time.” Do not be misled by the satisfying beat to an inappropriate song, or the pleasurable reactions you receive when you wear something too revealing or too tight.

Stand strong against the influences of this world–friends, media, activities–that are detrimental to your spirit. To your character. To your morals. Seek the kind of people who are “above the influence,” who are willing to stand for what’s right and have a good time while doing so. Those people do exist.

Keep in mind the acronym “G.I.G.O.,” which stands for “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” Yes, it seems so juvenile or elementary, but often, things that have appeared that way are usually some of the most important lessons we need to learn.

Whatever you ingest into your mind, heart, and spirit–including the sights, actions, and words of your peers–will eventually make its way to the surface of your lips and to the tip of your fingers, resulting in decisions to do and say things similar to the influences you have in your life.

My prayer is that all of us will seek influences of righteousness in all that we do, including the best influence: Jesus Christ and His Word.