Verse of the
day: Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not
perceive in him the lips of
knowledge.
Do our
friendships, and who we keep company with, matter to God? The short answer is “yes”.
God instructs us in His Word to pick our companions carefully. There are many
places in Scripture where God warn us about keeping company with foolish
people. Although we are called to win the lost to Christ, we are not to make
the lost our primary source of companionship. In this day and age when people are
ready to scream discrimination and racism, it is very easy for us to be
persecuted when we express the fact that God told us not to be unequally yoked
with unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14); this includes marriage, business, and even
close, intimate, friendships. Why is God adamant about us remaining separate
from the unsaved when it comes to intimate relationships? Well, because it is
that kind of companionship that leads us astray in our walk with God. 1
Corinthians 15:33 tells us that bad company corrupts good morals. When we hang
around with one unsaved person, and hang around the people they hang around
with, sadly, we begin getting sucked into doing the things they do; and
although there is that rare case where someone stands their ground for Christ,
the truth of the matter is that, more often than not, this is not the case at
all. God warns us in Psalm 1:1 that we are to avoid taking advice from, or
planting ourselves in relationship with, the unsaved, as the advice that comes
from them will not be godly advice. Today’s verse warns us of the same. God tells
us that we are to go away from those we perceive to be foolish in their
approach and way of life. When we perceive that what they have to say lacks
godly wisdom, and leads us in the ways of the world, we are to stay away from
receiving advice from that person(s). This does not give us permission to be
rude, but we can discreetly, and in love, ignore their advice, and be careful
not to ask their advice when it comes to issues of life for which we can find
the answer for in God’s Word, or amongst godly company. Proverbs 13:20 tells us
that if we walk with wise people we will be wise, but a companion of fools will
lead us to harm. 1 Corinthians 5:11 warns us that we are not to keep company
even with those who claim to be born again believers, who are worldly in their
attitude and behavior. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 we are commanded not to keep
company with those who claim to be Christians who lead unruly lives. God has
made it very clear that when we accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, and we were
adopted into His family, we were set aside for His purposes; and therefore, we
are to be careful about not being involved in relationships that will draw us
away from Him, and from living a holy and righteous life (1 Peter 1:16). 2
Corinthians 6:17 tells us to come out from among the unsaved, and be separated
unto God. Finally, James 4:4 tells us that when we choose friendship with the
world, we choose to be enemies of God. God forbid that one of His children
should stand against the Lord as an enemy. Let us use wisdom in what company we
keep. Let us have the proper balance in knowing that as born again believers this
earth is not our home (1 Peter 2:11), and even though we are in this world, we
are not longer of this world (John 17:16). We can certainly have acquaintances
and friends who are not saved; for our purpose for being here is to win them to
Christ by sharing the Gospel, and living it. However, our unsaved friends and
acquaintances should never be our source of intimate companionship and advice.
God has given us His Word, and the Holy Spirit in us, as well as a local church
family, from which we can enjoy fellowship, and the godly guidance, we need to
live our life here on earth.
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