September 1998 -
Who do you name as your closest friends? Believe it or not, this question is a matter of great concern to the Lord. And that's because your friendships speak loudly - both to God and to the world - about the condition of your heart.
Have you ever thought to pray, "Lord, what do you think of my friendships? Are they pleasing to you - or do they displease you?" The fact is, a righteous friend can provide a link to the blessing and favor of God, because he encourages you toward a godly lifestyle. On the other hand, an unrighteous friend can be a binding chain to every kind of evil, leading you into terrible bondages.
As I use the word "friend" throughout this message, I'm not referring to immediate family members, such as a spouse, parent or child. My definition of a friend here is someone with whom you are closely associated - one in whom you naturally confide. In short, a friend is someone with whom you walk, talk and bare your soul.
Of course, you probably have various circles of friends. You have a "business" circle, which includes your coworkers, partners or clients. And you have a "social" circle, including those people you associate with on a surface level. You may also have contact with ungodly acquaintances. The apostle Paul says it's impossible for us to avoid these kinds of contacts - otherwise, we'd have to leave the world altogether!
Read more HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment