The Importance of Choosing the Right Friends
Having the right friends has a big impact in our lives. God warns us what can happen if we choose the wrong friends. Having the wrong friends can affect what we do, how we act, and can lead us down the wrong path. They have the power to influence us to do sinful things the Bible talks about in Galatians 5:19-21,
“The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these.”
God does not want us to choose friends or hang out with people who do not care about us. Especially, if they lead us away from God or do what God says is unholy. These people do not know God and think differently than Christians do. They think it is okay to do things the Bible commands us not to do.
Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that if we spend time with wise people who know right from wrong then we will be wise. But if we hang around friends who are fools and continue sinning then we will suffer. Proverbs 13:20 also applies to our relationships with other believers.
The Bible tells us not to hang out even with other believers who take part in sin. The sins include sexual sins, greed, worshipping idols, abusing others with words, getting drunk, or cheating people (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). We should not be fooled by anyone who continues to do evil things that God commands us not to do. Hanging out with people who do these things can ruin our good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).
If our Christian friends struggle with sin, we need to confront them about it. If they refuse to stop or change, take them to one of the church leaders for help. If that does not change them, they need to be removed from the church until they stop sinning. Once they repent and change, they are allowed back into the church (Matthew 18:15-17).
By no means is anyone perfect or sinless, but if the people we hang out with try to live according to God’s commands, repent, and turn away from sin, it is okay to remain friends with them.
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
Thank you for warning us about people who we think are our friends but are not. They are people who do not really care or love us. These people will lead us the down the wrong path. Help us find friends who will help us stay focused on Your Holy commands. The Bible is full of verses that warn us about people who we should not hang out with. We pray for our Christian friend who may struggle with a certain sin and hope they turn from it. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
