Be Careful Who Our Friends Are
by Author Unknown
Proverbs 1:10 says, “ My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.” Righteousness is character that resists the attraction of sin. No matter how desirable an evil person or thing might be, it will not give in. It will hold its principles regardless.
Sinners are not content sinning and being lost alone. They want to include others in their wickedness. Bringing the innocent into their sinful activities and friendship helps justify their evil minds, and the devil uses them to corrupt God's saints.
The context describes those who are practicing sinful things luring an innocent young man into their group (Proverbs 1:11-14). They offer him friendship, unity, success, and riches. The Preacher warns his son to stay away from them, for they are wicked and headed for destruction (Proverbs 1:15-19).
Strong men will not agree with sinners for any reason! They are committed to what is right, and the folly of fools angers them. They hate the wicked. Psalms 101:3 says, “I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave unto me.” Psalms 139:21-22 goes on to say, “Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: they are become mine enemies.”
How do sinners entice, seduce, attract, or lure those who are saints? There are several ways, and they provide wonderful lessons for increasing in wisdom and understanding.
First, there is family. Woe to those who exalt family over Scripture, for they will compromise righteousness to save it. Is the dinner table with sinners and saints confused? So Jesus taught His disciples to hate family in comparison to Him, “If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). His doctrine divides families to test our love of Him. “Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came 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: and a man's foes (shall be) they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34-37). If we will not forsake family for Jesus Christ and the truth, we are not worthy of Him. Because Eli chose his sons, God destroyed him forever (cf. I Samuel 3:13).
Second, there is fear of man. If we worry about what others think or do, we trap our own souls. “The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25). We will compromise Scripture to keep them happy. We call it peer pressure, when it involves children; but we say little, when it involves adults. Why not say, “So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?” (Hebrews 13:6). Peter, noble and brave in his intentions, compromised horribly before mere maids! And Pilate, warned by his wife and convicted himself, could not release Jesus before the Jews (Luke 22:57; Matthew 27:19)!
Third, there is association. Some are so desperate for society, they will do anything to keep their standing. Standing alone overwhelms these. They need acceptance and support to survive. Believers among the Jews would not confess Jesus for fear of losing synagogue membership (John 12:42). God condemns this compromising association with sinners (Isaiah 8:9; II Chronicles 19:1-2). He is looking for men who will stand against the crowd like Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 26:65).
Fourth, suggested or offered success is enticing. The young man was told he could fill his house with treasure, if he were to join the gang. Proverbs 1:13, “We shall find all precious substance; We shall fill our houses with spoil.” How many men have sacrificed their convictions to get ahead in their profession? What a revolting trade! It took only thirty pieces of silver to buy the soul of Judas and sell the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:15). It took only a little silver and two changes of clothes to buy the soul of Gehazi (II Kings 5:21-24). How cheap!
The world’s enticements can be reduced to three kinds of sin - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). Satan used these three enticements on Eve (Genesis 3:6); he tried them on our Lord, but He resisted them. Are you able to identify these offerings by sinners and detect your weakness for them?
Churches today offer a smorgasbord of dessert-like inventions for carnal Christians and the unregenerate. They boast of their growth and many programs to satisfy the lusts of every age and sex. They make great efforts to entice you to join them. Do not consent! Are you settled on the rock of God’s Word? Will you remain there regardless of who might entice you or what might be offered? Do you know your own soul and the weaknesses of it? Examine yourself, and remove any temptations far away!
Our Lord Jesus was enticed by the devil three times (Luke 4:1-13), yet He resisted every temptation. What was His answer each time? “It is written!” Wisdom demands you end unnecessary and or tempting relationships with sinners (Proverbs 1:15). David’s conviction to live a righteous life included cutting off any sinner among his acquaintances, even if it included family members (Psalms 101:4-8). Are you ready and willing to stand alone against all the enticements of the wicked?
