Beware of Toxic Influences

Stay away from the INFECTIOUS CHARACTER or suffer the consequences

In biology, an infection is defined as the invasion of an organism’s body tissues by disease-causing agents. Similarly, some people can function like an infection in your life. They invade your space like a disease, and before you know it, you’re on a path to self-destruction.

Have you ever seen well-intentioned people trying to help someone with a negative attitude, only to end up adopting those same negative traits? You can suffer and even be destroyed by someone else’s misery. Emotional states are as infectious as diseases. You may think you’re helping a drowning person, but you might actually be precipitating your own disaster.

The law of impartation by association states that “we have the tendency to become like the people we associate with.” Some people are misfortunate due to circumstances beyond their control and deserve our help and sympathy. But others, who are not born to misfortune or unhappiness, actively draw negativity upon themselves. Like a pig that enjoys the mud, they thrive in their destructive behaviours and often drag others down with them.

It would be wonderful if we could lift these people and change their patterns—but more often than not, their negative patterns end up influencing us instead. The reason is simple: Humans are highly susceptible to the moods, emotions, and ways of thinking of those they spend time with. This is why scriptural texts like 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Proverbs 22:24-25 warn us to be cautious about our associations.

Numerous studies have shown that we unconsciously mimic almost all aspects of other people’s behaviour, especially when we spend a lot of time with them. The unstable, in particular, have a strong infecting power because their characters and emotions are so intense. They often present themselves as victims, making it difficult to see their miseries as self-inflicted. By the time you realize the true nature of their problems, you may already be infected.

My point is this: In life, the people you associate with are critical to your progress. The risk of associating with the infectious is that you will waste valuable time, energy, and opportunities trying to help them. Never underestimate the dangers of such infections. Most of all, do not take pity or entangle yourself in trying to help. The infector will remain unchanged, but you will be changed.

Never associate with those who share your weaknesses—they will reinforce everything that holds you back. Make this a rule of life, and you will benefit more than from all the therapy in the world.

Remember, you become the company you keep.