Daily devotional, 04 June 2024 Truth or consequence
"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,or you may learn their waysand get yourself ensnared."
Proverbs 22:24-25
When you are young, summer vacations are the time to hang out with friends. During my teenage years, playing “truth or consequence” was one of the ways to pass the time with the “barkada (group of friends)” during summer break afternoons.
Like that game, there are truths and consequences about hanging out with the wrong crowd. Regardless of our age, most of us will have at least a group of friends whom we choose to spend our time with. And our choice of friends will not only say a lot about us, it can also dictate our mental wellbeing, influence our faith journey, and even our future.
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night."
Psalm 1:1-2
As followers of Jesus, we are being encouraged to hang out with people who are also trying their best to follow the Lord. We have to continue our life journey with people who share the same faith with us, and who are living a life of worship. We have to avoid bad influences at all costs. Instead, we have to spend time with people who will not think twice about correcting our mistakes for our own sake and that of our spirit.
"Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it."
Psalm 141:4-5
When we spend time with people who are cultivating a close relationship with the Heavenly Father, chances are we will not be influenced towards conforming to worldly values. In his second letter to the Corinthian Church, St. Paul the Apostle urged early Christians to refrain from dealing and spending time with unbelievers.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14
When we spend time with others who do not pursue God the way we do, there is a tendency to adapt to their way of thinking. And the Bible says that should not be the case, because we should not conform to worldly values, nor run after worldly pursuits.
"Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2
In fact, the bible straight-out tells us to refrain from hanging out with ungodly people:
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
So what should we do instead? Well, if we have people in our lives who have yet to know Christ, we ought to try to share the Gospel to them. However, we are not supposed to spend a lot of time with them to avoid their bad influence.
"And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." Jude 22-23
Instead, we should spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we could encourage one another with God’s words. We should worship with them and grow in our faith alongside them through bible study, church activities, mission work, and in just hanging out to eat, exercise, or pursuing hobbies. We are less likely to fall into worldly ways when we are with someone who shares the same faith, and who also has genuine concern over us.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Hebrews 10:24-25
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Hebrews 10:19-31 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Who do you hang out with? Do they share the same faith as you do?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding me about the friendships that I will choose. I would like to walk my faith journey with fellow believers who will encourage me to keep following you. Give me the grace of loving friendships my Lord, as I try my best to be a good friend myself. Amen.
