Choose friends wisely

I talked with someone the other day that came across a case of whiskey that had been stored away in an attic for years. He used to manage a large business and the whiskey had been used in prior years to entertain at various functions. It must be forty or fifty years old and according to whiskey connoisseurs, the older the whiskey the better. This person quit drinking decades ago and has no use for the whiskey. Not wanting to waste valuable aged whiskey however; he was amenable to giving it to someone who could use it. The problem he has is that he does not have even “one” friend or even an acquaintance that drinks to whom he could give the whiskey. Imagine not knowing anyone who drinks. (No I am not going to suggest that he give it to you!)

This person is in excellent shape concerning God’s wish for the type friends he should have. The Bible warns us not to keep company with sexually immoral people, drunkards, or even covetous people. In fact we are explicitly warned not to even “eat” with a person like that. (1 Cor. 5:9-11). Some might say that Jesus did not follow that command nor should we; further suggesting that Jesus often ate with tax collectors, drunks, and scallywags of all sorts. I respectfully suggest that we are not Jesus. Most people “follow” others into trouble instead of “leading”
the way. One cannot play with fire and not get burned. Unless we are perfect like Jesus and can withstand all temptation without faltering, we would be well advised to keep our distance lest we be tempted to join in the revelry. We should have other believers as friends, and the odds of being led into trouble logically are greatly reduced. Consider this:
If ALL of your friends attend church without fail every Sunday, isn’t it logical that you might join them? Conversely, if none of your friends and indeed not a person you know attends church would you be as inclined to go?

Choose your friends wisely. I would go even further and state that we must “assist” our children in doing likewise. The Bible is the infallible word of God. This advice comes from the creator of the world who loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die for us on a cross.
His counsel concerning this matter should be taken literally and to heart. Keep your distance from those who are not believers and whose lives are consumed by evil.

1 Cor. 5:13

…Therefore “put away from

yourselves the evil person.”

How well do you know the Bible?

True or false, Jesus will judge the angels?

1 Cor. 6:3



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