Friends and Truth
Good Morning,
I believe the greatest influence in the life of young people is their friends. Of course, there are many avenues for good or evil influences, but most come through the friends they have. Many people can relate to a first cigarette or drink of booze that happened because of a friend. In our culture, friends influence dress, social media, phones, and activities.
Forever, parents have warned their children against following friends into questionable activities, but not only young people need to be on guard against the improper leading of a friend. All of us need to be careful to honor the Bible and truth, even if it comes between us and friends.
The book of Proverbs warns against co-signing for a friend.
Proverbs 6:1 “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,”
A friend can lead us into commitments that are not prudent. Friend or no friend, there are some situations into which we should not follow.
God warns that there are certain lines all Christians should draw, and in some cases, it means walking away from a relationship, no matter who it is.
Proverbs 14:7 “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
Notice what David says about relationships, even those within his own house:
Psalm 101:3 “...I hate the work of them that turn aside…"
vs. 4 “...A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.”
vs. 5 “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
David makes it clear that in order to stay godly, sometimes believers need to separate from others, even those with whom they were once in a close relationship. In Psalms 101, one of the items David warns against is a wrong attitude.
No one likes separation from those they love, but it is necessary and very scriptural. In the Gospels, we read twice where God records our Lord assuring us about divisions among those in our family.
Matthew 10:35 “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
Luke 12:53 “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
The idea that I will not be a good friend if I do not break the law for my friend is unwise, although it happens often. I have a dear friend who explained that he took the blame for something others did because he was a friend and would not turn them in. He went to jail for several months. That was his own decisions, but I do not believe a wise one.
I do not care who the friend might be, I would not follow a friend to drugs or booze. I am passionate about my family, but I would also refuse to approve of my children's choice (or support them) if they entered into a corrupt venture. I may leave the choice to them and stay out of the matter. I may say, "I do not agree, but you are an adult and have to face your own choices." I told one of our girls that she had to choose who to marry, but I was not obligated to walk her down the aisle to give the bride away. This idea of family loyalty over right and wrong is nonsense.
The Bible urges us to love everyone, but we are not commanded to be friends with everyone. In fact, the very opposite is true. We are commanded to avoid some people.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
2 Thessalonians 3:14 “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
My family and friends have my love and loyalty, but not at the expense of right. Our Lord hung on the cross, and at one moment, Christ "became sin" for us. At that moment, we read that the Father turned His back on the Son and Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me."
Even God chose to turn His back on His Son as He became sin.
Mark 15:34 “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
As we love one another, may we never drift in our love for God and right. If we are pressed to choose, may God always be our first choice.
Pastor