Bible Study...Friends?

Proverbs 12:26 

 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. 

 Proverbs 27:17 

 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 

 Ah friends...how many true friends to any of us have? I can count on one hand the people I know I can trust. I am careful who I spend a lot of time around...because I know who I'm around the most is who I will become. If they are filled with unbelief and doubt, soon I will be too. People I used to get high or drunk with don't call me anymore, nor do I call them. We have NOTHING in common anymore. I don't wanna get drunk or high, and they don't wanna hear about Jesus. 

We all tend to migrate towards those who are most like us. It's something that comes naturally. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you want to be a successful businessman, you have to surround yourself with folks MORE successful and learn from them. If you want to be a successful Christian you have to do the same. If you surround yourself with losers, whiners, and slackers...guess what you're going to become? 

Your job as a friend is to encourage your friends. To be an example to them. Don't just tell them about Jesus, but live that life in front of them. Most people back away from confrontation, but many times we need to stand our ground...not back down on what we believe. I don't mean be a jerk or a loudmouth, but stick to your principles and what you believe. In other words, don't go along to get along. If they want to go to a strip club for a "meeting" don't go. Just remember, it's always easier to be pulled down than it is to be pulled up. Try this with a friend seated in a chair, and you standing. Try and pull them up from the chair with no assistance from them. Then have them try to pull you down...it's a great visual on what we're talking about here. Have a great day folks and God bless...:-) Pastor James