EPISODE 207 – WHO IS YOUR FRIEND
Apostle BennieCHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY
The Love-Life Agency
Friday, 18th August, 2023
WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)
Friendship is not evil nor wrong. Friendship can help you in many ways as you journey into greatness.
However, the company of friends you keep will determine if you will arrive at that greatness you have envisioned or not.
Many great destinies have been crushed because of the associations they kept.
The thing is, whether you want it or not, your friends will influence you in a particular way.
You cannot be prayerful when your friends are not prayerful. It doesn’t matter how prayerful you are, when you keep those friends for long, and you don’t see them becoming prayerful, you must know that your prayerlessness has become worse than theirs.
Your burning desire of love for the Lord can be watered down by wrong association.
Imagine being in a company of gossips? Precious one, your days will be flooded with negativity, conflicts and emotional disturbance.
You may even develop hatred for people God has sent to strengthen you, and you will avoid them because of a gossip. Instead of discerning the integrity of the hearts of people, you will discredit them; because a gossip you call a friend couldn’t keep his or her mouth shut.
Do you have a friend who is always or often talking about the weakness of others? Some friends will even use the excuse of “let’s pray for someone” to talk about people in a way that will sow seeds of bitterness and pain in your heart. And instead of praying for others you will be embittered.
Be careful of such friends.
Friends who cannot keep secrets of others are dangerous.
They will soon announce your weakness and wrongs to the world.
“A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them.” Proverbs 11:13 (TLB)
Such gossips are also judgmental and legalistic. They are always wise in their eyes and act as though they are fighting evil.
Yet whiles they are busily denigrating, condemning and spreading rumours of others, God is patiently working on and building those same people they are denigrating.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29
These two verses above really saved me from a lot of damage.
When you are in a company of an angry friend, you will soon be influenced or affected by their approach to life.
” Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul”. Proverbs 22:24-25 (NKJV)
See the same verses in the The Passion Translation:
“Walk away from an angry man or you’ll embrace a snare in your soul by becoming bad-tempered just like him”.
Now you shouldn’t assume you are too strong and cannot be corrupted by the wrong companions.
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Now in this verse of scripture, Paul was specifically speaking to the saints to avoid those who speak against the resurrection of Jesus.
Having a company of friends who don’t believe in Jesus, and you are always spending time together with them all in the name of soul-winning, will corrupt your faith. Seek counsel immediately from your Church leader.
This doesn’t suggest you should live like an island.
God didn’t create us to be isolated from every one. He shows us the importance of having good friends
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” Hebrews 10:24-25
You wouldn’t always have friends who don’t have any weakness. Definitely people may have their own weaknesses. However, do they see it as weakness? Are they making efforts to seek help? Or they don’t even think it is a weakness and feel they are right to behave that way?
“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
A true friend doesn’t take pride in the failure of others. A true friend is a shield of strength.
Maintain a company of friends who inspire you with the vision of God and direct your passion towards the Lord.
“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.” Proverbs 27:9 (TPT)
Friends who overwhelm you with wise counsel of the Lord are treasures.
Who is your friend?
Selah.
DIG DEEPER:
(Proverbs 13:20; 27:17; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 101:5-6; Proverbs 16:28-29; John 15:14; James 4:4; Proverbs 22:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
WE PRAY:
That through wisdom, we will discern and demonstrate the righteousness of God in every relationship.
BIBLE READING
Day 194
Psalms 71 – 73
Mark 1- 2
DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– I am mindful of my association.
– I demonstrate wisdom in all my relationships.
– Through the wisdom of the scriptures, I guide my heart with all diligence.
– I make the right judgment in all things.
– I don’t glory in the weaknesses of others.
– Through love I strengthen others.
– I am full of wisdom.
– I am full of love.
Oh Hallelujah, GLOREEEEY!
I am mindful of my association; through love I strengthen others
This is a Good Word!!
I am a supplier of strength to others.
Gloreeeyyy…Proverbs 16: 28 stood out for me today. But i have a question, sir.
What if your friend has a weakness which is affects other believers and you try to talk things over and over with Him or her. And yet, He or she is unable to deal with the weakness, what do you do? Because of the unpleasant negative effects, do you separate yourself from Him or her?
Thank you sir
I am that friend that overwhelms others with wise counsel of the Lord.
I don’t glory in the weekends of OTHERS
Glory to God
I am mindful of my association
I love the word of God, the manual to my life and living
I demonstrate wisdom in all my relationships in the name of Jesus
Through the wisdom of the scriptures, I guide my heart with all diligence.
This is so refreshing..
I keep the right associations
I am mindful of the relationships I make and keep. In the name of Jesus
Thank God for this wisdom. I am mindful of my association and I choose to be a source of strength to the brethren. Glory to God.
I am very mindful of my association
Glory to God
Thank you Lord Jesus.
I refuse to be a gossip
I refuse to crush the faith if others with my speech
I give praise reports about my leaders and friends and refuse to see their weaknesses but pray for them
I refuse to be legalistic
Thank you Apostle Bennie for shedding light on this topic.
Glory to God
Thank you Lord Jesus.
I am a man that sharpened my friends.
I don’t grow the weaknesses of others
My friends lead me into fulfilling purpose
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