Bad friends will destroy you

 Happy Sunday!

"Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you."(1 Corinthians 15:33 CEV).

Some say that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with.  Whether it's 3 or 5, the Bible echoes the fact that who we surround ourselves with will influence our thoughts and behaviors.  How many people have been with their friends in the wrong place at the wrong time only to see their lives changed for the worst?

King Rehoboam was the son of the wisest King in history, Solomon.  King Solomon wrote Proverbs, and throughout it he begged his son(s) to follow wisdom and get understanding.  In Proverbs 1:32-33 he says, "Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to STUPID fools.  But if you listen to me, you will be SAFE and SECURE without fear of disaster.”

1 Kings 12:6-8 says, "And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. BUT he FORSOOK the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:"(KJV).  Rehoboam refused to listen to the wise men, and listened to his childhood friends.  1 King 14:30 says, "And there was WAR between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  Listening to his friends caused trouble for him all the days of his life.

Proverbs 22:24-25 says, "Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul."(TLB).  Proverbs 27:17 say, "As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other SHARP."(ERV).  Jesus said, "Ye are my FRIENDS, if ye do whatsoever I command you.(John 15:14 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia