Topic: Be careful who your friend is.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 28-29; 1 Corinthians 6.
Memory Verse: “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. [17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:16-17 (KJV)
Who do you associate with? You need to beware because close associates over time reflect each other. They tend to act and behave the same way. A Yoruba (an ethnic group in South West Nigeria) adage says ‘when a leaf wraps a tablet of soap for a long time, it becomes soapy.’ This is why the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV), “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” The more intimate you become with anyone, the more you reflect each other and that’s why you are enjoined not to be so close to unbelievers so that you are not turned away from the Lord.
If you understand this quite well, then you will know why you are enjoined also to run away from immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV) admonishes believers to “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” But not just that, all believers will be joined to Jesus and will become one body. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:16-17 (KJV), “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. [17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
Then do you want the Lord Jesus to be joined with an harlot? This is impossible because the Bible says in Hebrews 12:14 (KJV), “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Anyone who cannot see the Lord cannot be joined with Him. Now this does not apply to only immorality but all forms of wickedness whether, lying or stealing, covetousness or murder; if you want to be joined with Christ, you must run from all forms of sinful habits. So whenever you are about to engage in any activity, you need to ask yourself if that will glorify God, If not, then desist from it immediately. Always remember that every action taken is an expression of your intention; either to be joined to the Lord Jesus or to the devil!
Action point: Review who your close friends are.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero