3 John 1:11 AMP
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with 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 good-will, 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. 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 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, not imitate doing things contrary to the word of God. As you do good, you will demonstrate that you belong to God and are led by His Spirit 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 to do.
Believers should imitate the faithful examples of their spiritual mentors in Hebrews 13:7. We should earnestly decline, depart, deviate from the straight path of immorality and corruption. 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.
Shalom