COPYCAT!

3 John 1:11 AMPC

Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all].

 

The word “imitate is what is used in the verse but let’s interchange it with “copy, copying, copycat.” This means to mimic, to do what is seen to be done by another, sometimes it could just be to be obedient as intended by the scriptures. Christians should consider not only what they must do, but what they may do; and should do even the common actions of life, and of goodwill, after a Godly sort, that is to imitate goodly actions and character designed to glorify God and not man.

To copy or imitate something or someone is to use or follow a set pattern or model according to someone else’s. Copying someone means we admire them and wants to either be like them or get the same result they get from whatever they do, that you’re copying.  Whose goodly or Godly attributes can you imitate? Unfortunately, not only goodly, and Godly actions and characters are copied and imitated.

We live in a generation that encourages instant gratification of fleshy desires, and it has become highly acceptable, in fact, it is expected that people, especially young ones will become copycats of some devious actions. Paul implores believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ. We are to be examples to people around us in character, attitude, behaviour, looks, manners, and speech. 

Even children imitate parents and older siblings from what they see. Throughout scriptures, the records of the patriarch Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children, there is a continual repetition of how they committed the same sin, such as going to Egypt to seek help, lying about their wives in Genesis 12:13, 20:3, 13 and 26:7. We fail to see that the impressionable people around us tend to imitate us and are the most likely to copy our mistakes in doing wrongs and committing sin.

Every believer is encouraged to follow Paul’s example by heeding his counsel to do everything for the glory of God without offending those around them. Contention is an offence that is vastly condoned in the body of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 1:11. We should not imitate those who do evil, gossip, and seek to exert control over others, those who get their way by manipulating others, and not imitate things contrary to the word of God. As we do good, we will demonstrate that we belong to God and are led by His Spirit as seen in Romans 8:14. The exhibition of righteous actions and behaviour is an indication of the presence of God in a transformed heart and life.  We sometimes give more consideration to what people tell us than to what God says to us. God tells us something, but we start asking everybody else what they think, and what we should do.  Believers should imitate the faithful examples of their spiritual mentors as instructed in Hebrews 13:7. We should earnestly decline, depart, and deviate from the straight path of immorality and corruption and not follow, emulate, or copy those following such paths. Even when circumstances bring us into contact with the ungodly, we must be careful not to copy anything that will be offensive to the Lord seen in Psalm 106:35.

Do not imitate evil, imitate God.  If you must be a copycat, ensure you only copy and imitate positive, godly, and righteous actions.

As believers, our greatest safeguard against imitating the wrong patterns is to stay rooted in the Word of God and in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The more we behold Christ through Scripture, prayer, and obedience, the more our hearts are shaped to reflect His nature. True imitation of Christ is not forced behaviour; it is the natural outflow of a transformed heart that desires to please God above all else. When we intentionally surround ourselves with godly influences, mentors, and environments, we create spiritual pathways that help us walk steadfastly in righteousness. Let your life be so anchored in Christ that anyone who “copies” you is unknowingly copying Him.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

·       Whose character, behaviour, or lifestyle am I currently imitating—knowingly or unknowingly—and does it align with Christ?

·       What habits or actions in my life might be influencing others negatively, and how can I intentionally model godly behaviour instead?

·       In what areas do I need to be more discerning, so I don’t imitate the world’s patterns but follow the example of Christ and godly mentors?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to always copy Christ and those who’ll point and lead me to Christ in Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gw3CIKjRNszS36bGF1yjR?si=qDYY5IPzSo6sk-O715qilQ

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