Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely

Then cometh Jesus within them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee.  Matthew 26:36-37

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus taking His inner circle with Him during pivotal times in His ministry.  Although countless crowds followed Jesus everywhere He went and He had 12 disciples, He selected Peter, James, and John during crucial moments in His ministry.  When Jesus’ appearance was transfigured on the mountain and He spoke with Moses and Elijah, Peter, James, and John were with Him (Matthew 17:2-3).  When He went to raise the ruler of the synagogue’s daughter, the Bible records that “he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James” (Mark 5:37).  Jesus knew the importance of choosing His inner circle wisely.  You should choose your inner circle wisely as well.  Your inner circle should comprise people that do not try to compete with you, speak the truth in love but are not critical/judgmental, and who you can call on at anytime (are dependable).  Pastor Creflo Dollar has compared friendships to the outer court, inner court, and holies of holy of the tabernacle in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Everyone that a person encounters is in the outer court, associations such as casual workplace associations for instance belong in the inner court, and only a couple of very serious and transparent friendships belong in the holies of holy category.  Sometimes we place too many friendships and associations in the holies of holy category and are subsequently hurt and disappointed when misunderstandings, betrayal, and slander occurs.  Often, this would not be able to occur if the friendship or association had been properly placed in the outer court or inner court at the start as opposed to the holies of holy.   Make sure to choose your inner circle wisely to ensure there is someone to stand by you when things get tough and to avoid unnecessary competition, criticism, and hurt.  In some cases, this inner circle may be comprised of God!