HANGING OUT! (Part 3)

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov 13:20NKJV)

I wouldn’t like to conclude this teaching without mentioning two individuals in the scripture that dearly pay the price for walking with wrong companies.

Dinah was the only daughter born to Jacob by Leah but was raped by Shechem due to the friendship she had with the strange daughters of the land (Gen. 34). This connotes that even when you have no intention of doing wrong; walking with the doers makes you a potential candidate of such act. If you assume you are so ‘wise’ and will never partake of their evil deed, then such friends switch plan and set you up against your wishes. Mind you, your alliance gave them the chance to do so, also made you to be blame most.

Perhaps the lustful desire of Amnon concerning her half sister - Tamar would have being tamed if not for his friend - Jonadab who counsel him on how to satisfy his immoral cravings (2 Sam. 13). Although both Amnon and Tamar were David’s children, Jonadab stands out as such friends who sees nothing wrong but will help you work out any plan no matter how evil it may be. Friends like Jonadab teaches how to formulate lies, help you out with dresses when you have none to attend parties and sometimes support you financially with tokens in order to show how much they ‘care’.

But the important question still remains “how much are these “friends” ready to stand with you when the consequence comes?” Where was Jonadab when Absalom came to avenge the deed done to her sister two years later? You can’t imagine that Jonadab was the one who came to inform King David about the details of the incident and also tells him not to worry since it is only Amnon that was killed by Absalom. This shows how what seems to look like “helps and supports” from such wrong company is simply bait in disguise.

It is now easy to understand why there is always a wrong guy behind most of our first-time wrong acts; the first time of taking a beer, smoking a cigarette, jumping school classes, attending parties, looking for a girl/guy, trying a kiss, and so many others. We might even be given all sorts of nicknames like “virgin mary”, “jew guy”, “jonny just come” or “mummy’s pet”, all in a bid to incite and make us join the act. And in most cases after the joining, we become the very next victim because such was not part of us in the beginning. No wonder the bible says:

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” (Prov 1:10NIV)

What a lesson for us to learn that if we walk not at the hedge of temptations, it will surely reduce the risk of falling into one.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:13-14KJV)

The company we keep is bound to change us. Someone may be asking; “how then would I minister to unsaved?” Then I will reply such; “what did you discuss whenever you meet with them?” If the subject is not Christ, then you might soon find yourself as their subject. If the basis of your interaction is the gospel, then let nothing else be your focus than the subject of gospel. Wisdom and discretion is highly advised as we carry out the great assignment of evangelism.

In understanding the wisdom for reaching the lost, Jesus admonished:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matt 10:16KJV)

And what wisdom has the serpent? No matter where it is found, it’s always out for business. It has no time to waste in doing what it knows best doing – striking! It knows fully well that its failure to do the stinging first will surely cost its life. Likewise Christians ought to be wise in delivering the gospel to the lost; carrying the understanding that they we like soldiers in the war front who must never loose focus or else we become the prey to the target.

It is good to know that the desirable strength of the youth is a demonstration of God’s glory and such is meant to be used rightly. There is a lot we can gain with our lives than wasting it with wrong and meaningless associations.

Let’s create the world we desire; let’s paint the future we long to see. Friendship is by choice and never by force. Vow to make the right choice always beginning from today. Your life and future greatly depend on this. See you at the topmost top