Sometimes you have to choose between following God and impressing your friends.

Living a godly life may make you different. You may end up doing just the opposite of everyone else. Sometimes you may find that your conduct pleases God but offends your friends, or vice versa. Should you compromise and try to find an acceptable middle ground?

Jesus gave the two analogies of “salt” and “light” to show the importance of conduct. Salt is a seasoning, but it’s also used as a preservative. God wants you to be like a moral preservative, bringing a virtuous and ethical flavor to your culture. God also wants you to shine into the darkness, not for your own publicity, but to bring credit to God.

Salt doesn’t do any good if it stays in the shaker. A candle doesn’t do any good under a bowl. So go forward today being salt and light in your world.

“You are the light of the world…Don’t hide your light under a basket!…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16