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False friends
God’s children are called to be wise,
To have prudent minds and eyes.
That they be on guard against deception,
And be aware against vain perception.
Be on guard from start to end,
Against each wicked and false friend.
Make no friends with any one untrue,
Lest trouble and heart break you accrue.
If friends already with an evil one,
Then from that union away you run.
Its better from a bad friendship to get off,
Before others use that as a chance to scoff.
Quick Reminder : Avoid false friends and save yourself trouble of their company
- One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)
- A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
- Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
- Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9)
- Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34)
Guard yourself against haters but not allowing them access to yourself
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. (Proverbs 16:27-29)
Beware of vile little haters who seek to break up friendships and happiness in your life. So say a firm NO to such individuals no matter how much they coax you to open up to them, especially once you have already noticed them destroying frienships and reputations of others. Never assume that they won’t try their deception with you and your friends and relatives. Be warned and be blessed!
Identify people by the way they act
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thorn bushes? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15-20)
It’s very simple to identity not just false prophets but also people in general. Some of them may lie that they are the good guys but their actions which are evil are something they won’t be able to hide for too long. You just need to keep your eyes open to notice the fruit of their actions. Once you realize that their workings are sinful immediately keep away from such wicked people and thus save yourself from trouble.
Be friends with the good ones and avoid the bad ones
Sometimes, I’ve noticed that people try to keep away from the good one’s especially those who pray a lot. They avoid those who read the Bible and can quote verses from them. Such is their way for thinking is that they want mischief makers as their friends.
The weird reason for those who prefer such bad word giving, god avoiding, sensual and prankster kind of people for their friends is that these people are ‘more’ fun. Now, that a ridiculous choice. What’s the point of having fun when that fun will lead you to shame, torture and hopelessness in the fires of hell?
Please read below what Jesus Christ himself spoke about hell and those who cause others to sin:
42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good,but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:42-50)
If don’t want to risk being tempted very often, do a great favor to yourself and keep away from all your wicked friends. Don’t ask how that is to be done but rather focus on why that is so important to be done. Is risking hell fire so valuable for your that you do no want to let go of deceitful friends?
Now the good friends in life may not have great taste in music, art etc. Yet these are good because they do what is right. They decide to uphold the law. They encourage you to walk in the right path of life. What more do you need? Plus these are the one’s who stand by you in times of trouble. They warn you of dangers if you don’t about that, because they love you and don’t wish that you get harmed.
The really best friends are the one’s who encourage you the love and the serve the Lord Jesus more and more. If you get such friends, always value them. Don’t bother about looks but rather see if the heart is pure. What good does it do you if you have a fine looking friend who is a hypocrite towards you? It would be better that you didn’t waste your pleasantries on those who are bad and only looks for chances to make you lose your faith and hope.
Here are a few verse that you can reflect and benefit from:
- Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
- Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
- Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
- Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
- Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel (Proverbs 27:9)
- Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Beware of false friends and bad friends
“The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship.” (Francis Bacon)
When making friends beware of those who are false friends or give to wickedness. These follow the ways of their true master, the Devil himself. All they bother is how much of benefit they can extract from you. In your good times their will help themselves to your luxuries but in times which are hard, they will keep away from you.
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” (Thomas Aquinas)
Judas Iscariot the vile little betrayer of Jesus Christ our Lord, too was a false friend. All he loved was himself even though he witnessed the glorious miracles of Jesus firsthand. Due to Judas’ obsession with earthly riches, he betrayed Jesus unto his death. It was better for Judas, that he were never even born than to sin greatly against the Saviour of the world. Fake and false friends are therefore in the same category like Judas Iscariot. Take note of that if you want some logic in any true and lasting friendship with anyone.
“It is only the great hearted who can be true friends. The mean and cowardly, can never know what true friendship means.” (Charles Kingsley)
If any so called friend entices you to sin in anyway, then reject that little minion right away. Do not hesitate at all. You are free to say NO to all such people who knowingly or unknowingly target your holiness in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t try to be a hero if bad friend is giving you bad counsel and follow his or her advice. For instance bad counsel in which you are told to rob a bank, or do drugs, or just flirt with a person who is not your spouse. Why do you want to risk your soul and reputation so see a smile on their faces when they see you crashing down? Will their smile cool down the fires of hell prepared for sinners? So then don’t be a hero but be a wise one and walk away from such corrupted people.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. (Proverbs 14:)
Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:3)
Disciples of hope 