He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20).
Today’s Morsel: Who are you hanging with? Who’s your 'boy'? Is that really your 'home girl'? These are terms we usually hear younger folks saying, but even some 'not so young' say these things these days. But really, who are your companions? Are the people you associate yourself with edifiers or destroyers of your good name and spirituality? There are many people who are serving prison terms because they were guilty by association. In other words, they were arrested and charged with a crime because they were present with others who were guilty. Solomon said, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Proverbs 1:10). You don’t want your good name to be evil spoken of. He also said, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” As born again believers, we must be careful of our associates. Just because some may say they are Christians, it may be only an outward look of godliness but within they are rottenness as dead men’s bones. The apostle Paul said that Satan has transformed into an angel of light. John tells us to not believe every spirit, but to try them (1 John 4:1-2). Jesus said “ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16-20). Is the fruit of the spirit prevalent in the life of those you are associating with? If not, you may want to select friends who do have the fruit of the spirit. The apostle Paul tells us, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). Don't let your associates keep you out of heaven. There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, and His name is Jesus!
Sing: What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
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