Who Are Your Friends?
Who we hang out with can have a big influence on our lives. Who are your friends? Not only people you hang out with in person, but who are your “media” friends? Who you follow on social media, who you watch on TV, who you spend time with through books – fictional and real life people. The Bible says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm,” (Proverbs 13:20).
In this interview with recording artist Clay Crosse, we discuss the importance of who you hang with as friends. Who you hang out with can actually be a matter of life or death.
In the life of Jehoram king of Judah, we see:
The Importance of Who You Marry:
“He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD,” (2 Chronicles 21:6).
In the life of Ahaziah king of Judah we see:
The Importance of Who You Let Influence You and Whose Counsel You Take
“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram; so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziahson of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab because he had been wounded,” (2 Chronicles 22:2-6).
Notice it says “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing.” He listened to his advisors and soon after was his downfall and death. Be careful whose advice you take and who you let advise you! Notice also it says “He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly.”
Don’t let rotten friends ruin your life! When speaker and author Jimmy Evans became saved, he knew he had to get away from his friends in order to continue in his faith and follow Christ.
For more on what kinds of friends to avoid and people to stay away from, please see Proverbs 1 and Proverbs 2. (The Bible actually gives us permission not to hang out with people!)
“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us …’ do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths,” (Proverbs 1:10,11, 15).
Where’s that 1980’s ad “Just Say No” when you need it? It’s okay to say no.
For teenage girls and young adults looking to hang out with good friends, please see my post about some “great friends” in great Christian books for girls by author Robin Jones Gunn. God may work through these books to change their lives forever in positive ways! Remember, who we hang with in books, TV, online and movies can influence us (negatively or positively) and makes a difference!
Be sure to check out Clay Crosse’s book Dashboard Jesus. It’s a book for men but one of my all time favorites because it’s so true, practical and helpful for anyone’s walk with Jesus.
If you would like to know Jesus and hear more about the important topic of friends and more, please watch these videos from Soul Check TV here: https://soulchecktv.com/2014/07/22/episode-july-2014/
Remember, Jesus is the greatest Friend of all!
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