Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily
devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The Wisdom
of God
Verses for the Day:
24 Make no
friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (AMP):
24 Make no friendships with
a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in Proverbs
tell us to avoid any friendships with habitually angry men. We are warned that
through association, we can pick up bad habits of other people; and in this
case, it is anger. This is really the way angry mobs start, someone gets
mad about an issue, and then they incite others to take up their personal
offences. The Bible says that a person can be ensnared and trapped into a
evil situation by a close relationship with an angry person. Angry people are
always stirring up trouble.
There are also
other dangers of hanging out with the wrong crowd. We are warned in the Bible
not to make close friendships with habitual sinners. If we do not want to
be like the kind of people that are evil, we must not be buddies with them, nor
allow our children to buddy with them. There is a saying, "If you play with
fire, you will get burned." Young people and older people as well, cannot
entertain the notion that they can be close to wickedness and not find
themselves being dragged into the same wicked deeds that they do. If we do not resist evil, it will
soon overtake us.
This does not mean
that we are not to witness to sinners, nor isolate ourselves from them when we
must come in contact with them. It just means we are not to form close
relationships with them. We should also warn our children to be careful who they
choose as friends. Parents should also have a say as to the kind of friends
their children "hang out" with. I praise God for the young people who are good kids and
are leading good Christian lives. It is not easy to live for Christ in an
ungodly society. But they should be warned about their friendships as well. One
trick that the devil uses to ensnare good Christians is to entice them to become
friends with ungodly people. Satan usually whispers that by being their friend,
they can win them to Christ. I am not saying we should snub evil people, nor
should we be unkind to them. However, we cannot become close buddies to those
that practice unrighteousness, as this has been the downfall of many
Christians.
2
Corinthians 6:14-17 (KJV):
14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."
The evil influence in others, will usually overcome
the one who is well meaning. The best way to help those that are evil is to
pray for them and live an example of goodness before them. We should
witness to them, be kind and loving toward them, but we should never
yield
to their enticements to join them in their ways.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a
companion of fools shall be destroyed.
This verse
tells us one of the ways that we can become wise is by selecting wise
friends and associates. By taking the advice of people who are wise,
one can learn to avoid many troublesome things. The wisdom of the wise,
gained by experience, is beneficial in directing us in the right way, so
that we will be successful in our endeavors. On the other hand, should
we choose to walk with foolish and angry people, we will end up facing
destruction. There is a saying that is very true, as it states:
"Birds of a feather will flock together." Those who desire wisdom
will want to be around those who are wise, while the foolish will desire
the company of rebels.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear
Father in Heaven, I thank You for the good friends You have given me.
Help Your people in all walks of life who are struggling with the threat
of unrighteous relationships. Help them to live a life that is pleasing
to You. Deliver them from the fear of men and give them the grace to cut
all ties with those that would lead them into wickedness. Fill them
with Your spirit so that they will have the holy boldness to take a
stand for truth and righteousness. May we all treat the wicked that we
encounter with compassion and kindness, yet be able to speak the truth
in love, so as to help them, and not join them. I ask this in the
name of Jesus. Amen |