Pro.29v18: Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.

Jn.10v10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.

Every vision or dream has certain enemies and your ability to deal with these threats is what is going to determine whether your vision will speak at the end of the day or not. So this is why you need to do everything within your powers in fighting off and against every potential killer of your vision. So far in this series of teachings, I have shared one of the major killers of visions or dreams. Today, by his grace, I want us to consider another major destroyer of our vision. If you are ready for this, so off we go!

ENEMIES OF YOUR VISION

1. Toxic Relationships/Influencers. This kind of people around you and also the kind of influencer you are exposed to can either help or harm your vision. This is why you ought to pay attention to the influencers and relationships in your life. If those relationships or influencers are toxic or negative, they can destroy your vision. This was why Nehemiah never made friends with or allowed the influences of Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem etc., to affect him negatively. The answer is quite apparent. These relationships were toxic and harmful to the vision we had for Jerusalem (Neh.6v1-3, 9-15). So, my dearly beloved ones, what you need are positive relationships and influencers around your life. Some biblical examples of such are the relationship between the following people, i.e. Mordecai/Esther, Naomi/Ruth and Paul/Timothy, to mention a few. This is why you need to examine today the kind of relationships in your life. You smell like the company you keep and the company you keep is the prophecy of your life. How can you identify the kind of relationship that you have in place in your life? By paying attention to:
   
   – What is taking your time/attention?
   – Who is speaking into your life?
   – Who you hang out with.
   – The kind of places you go to.
   – Who is in your circle of influence?

As you carefully go through the above-mentioned points, it will help you ascertain the kind of people and influencers in your life. So how should you respond to the negative or toxic relationships around you? You can deal with such by:

• Isolating yourself from such influencers. You need to severe yourself from every unproductive relationship in your life if you want to really go forward. I know this is hard to do, but it’s important if your vision will come to pass (2Cor.6v14-18).
• Choosing your relationships wisely. Be selective in your relationship. Everybody cannot be your friend. Friendship is not by force but by choice (Pro.13v20).
• Invest your time wisely. It’s better to spend more of your time with people and things that will promote and help your vision than just hanging out with anybody. So make up your mind from today that you will walk in this dimension of wisdom, and I guarantee you that you will be giving wings to your vision (Pro.11v14).

My dear reader, it’s time to make the most out of relationships in and around your life. It’s time to make wise and better choices that will give life and expression to your vision. May this be your testimony from today in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: (Gen.13v14-18; 1Sam.17v28; Acts 4v23; Pro.27v17; Jn.7v2-5; Gen.37v5, 8).

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, give me the courage and wisdom to eliminate out of my life the relationships/influencers that are toxic to my vision in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: I choose my relationships and influencers wisely. I choose to walk with people who can positively contribute to my life and journey. I associate with people who can help me accomplish my glorious destiny. I cooperate with the positive and helpful influencers around my life. My vision will see the light of day as I walk faithfully with my helpers of destiny. I will not be stranded nor put to shame at the end of the day, for the Lord is my helper and promoter.

Pastor Yemi Adeoti

Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.