My husband, Joe, and I used to have an African Violet plant in our home that refused to bloom. We would give it the proper sunlight, and would water it according to the directions, but we still couldn't get it to bloom for us. Then one day, I decided to stop giving it tap water, and to give it filtered drinking water instead. Suddenly, beautiful purple flowers began springing up, and Joe and I were amazed and delighted.

While thinking about this plant during my prayer time one morning, the Lord led me to Proverbs 25:26 (NLT), which says, "If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring." He began teaching me about the importance of "water quality" in the life of a believer. And He told me that when we yield to wickedness, instead of opposing or reproving it, we become polluted, and we lose the opportunity to make a difference for Christ.

The apostle James talks about this when he says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this…to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27 NIV) If we are sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading, it is entirely possible for us to keep ourselves from becoming polluted. The Spirit of God will let us know when we are about to watch or look at something that has the potential to pollute us. He will warn us when we are about to say something that we will regret later on. And He will guide us in establishing boundaries in our lives and our relationships that will protect us from oppression, burnout, and abuse.

As followers of Christ, you and I have a high calling on our lives. (Philippians 3:14) And if we want to fulfill our God-given destiny, we are going to have to say "no" to a lot of the things that the world is saying "yes" to. The Message Bible beautifully records the Lord's pleas to us in this area when it says: "'So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,' says God. 'Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for Myself.'" (2 Corinthians 6:17 MSG)

Prayer: Lord, I regret the times that I allowed myself to be polluted by people and things that were not Your best for me. Make me sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit's leading in all things, so that I can discern the good from the bad, and always choose the good. Show me how to establish godly boundaries, and enable me to enforce them consistently with Your help. Thank You that as I refuse to compromise with wickedness and worldliness, I will reach my full potential in Christ, and I will become a world-changer for Your glory!

- J. M. Farro