Friends

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 12

Gold Nugget

Verse 26: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Commentary

Many people do not see the connection between the character of their friends and their own character. We think that our friend’s personal lives are their own and have nothing to do with us. Although we don’t have to be responsible for everything that our friends say or do, there should be some prerequisite to being our friend. Today’s “gold nugget” says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  We don’t want to think that people could influence us to do things that we wouldn’t normally do. This is foolish and prideful. The wise person acknowledges his vulnerability to others and avoids the company of ungodly people. Even if you are the one that insist that you are not affected by the people around you, maybe even you will acknowledge the fact that a negative, hateful or complaining person will ruin the atmosphere for others around them. Even if you do not join in, you will still suffer the effects of the negativity around you. It is better for you to avoid those that do not contribute to a healthy, pure and positive environment. The scriptures often deal with the effects that ungodly people have on others. Paul wrote the church at Corinth concerning their tolerance and association with ungodly people. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6b) Remember also 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” The truth is, hanging out in a dirty room will get you dirty. Walking in the rain will get you wet and rubbing elbows with sinful people will bring sin into your life. We can no longer associate ourselves with people that practice immoral and sinful acts. It is our responsibility to God and ourselves to “come out from among them and be separate”. Just like you don’t want even a few germs in your soup, God doesn’t want you to be contaminated either.

 

Prayer

Lord, I know there is a healthy point of ministering to the lost and the association that it brings, but there is also a line that is drawn on who I call a friend. Knowing the difference is only obtained by staying in your instruction manual for life. Help me to stay in the bible and receive the knowledge needed to walk in wisdom. Amen

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