The Battlefield Of Friends

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, April 18, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

THE BATTLEFIELD OF FRIENDS
-or-
WHO ARE YOU RUNNING WITH?

By Michael D. O’Neal                   Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                    Albany, Georgia

---

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 13:10-22

Text: Proverbs 13:20

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Introduction: “Prepare for War in 2004” is our church theme for the year, but it’s a good motto for every Christian, every year.

We are not saved by effort. We are saved by grace through faith, without works of any sort (Eph. 2:8-10). However, the Christian life is a war against the world, the flesh, and the devil. You can’t lose your soul in this war, but you can lose a lot of things, such as your testimony, your joy, your fruitfulness, your peace of mind, your fellowship with God, and more!

One of the keys to success in this war is THE CHOICE OF FRIENDS, especially those closer friends whom we would call COMPANIONS.

Tonight’s message is called

THE BATTLEFIELD OF FRIENDS -or- WHO ARE YOU RUNNING WITH?

Look again at our text:

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

I think this verse is one of the most important verses in the Bible for shaping Christian character. This verse is why I didn’t allow our children to play with the neighborhood children when they were growing up.

There are three great thoughts in our text:

I. COMPANIONS

“He that walketh with … a companion …”

A companion of God walks with God.

Enoch walked with God; he was God’s companion (Genesis 5:22,24).
Noah walked with God; he was also God’s companion (Genesis 6:9).

A companion is an intimate friendship.

A wife is a husband’s companion (Mal. 2:14).

A. Companionship signifies agreement
     1. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
 
B. Companionship signifies acceptance
     1. Lot first pitched his ten TOWARD Sodom, but he ended up in the gates, sitting with the elders of the land.

C. Companionship signifies affection
     1. You can’t love God and the wrong crowd at the same time.
     2. God and the world are going in two different directions.
     3. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
 
D. Companionship signifies alignment
     1. In purpose (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

With whom are you running?
With whom is your spouse running?
With whom are you children running?
(Neighbors, relatives, coworkers, fellow students, camps, clubs, sports, television, telephone, Internet chat, etc.)
Those are your companions!

II. CHARACTER

“… wise men shall be wise … fools …”

Your companions make you or break you, because they help SHAPE you into what you will BE.

Companions influence the things that make you what you ARE.

A. Companions affect your mind – “wise”
     1. Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
     2. You are not what you think you are, but what you THINK, you ARE.
     3. What do you focus on – TV, money, video games, mischief?

B. Companions affect your merriment
     1. Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
     2. Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
     3. What makes you happy (“blessed”)
 Right companions will help you
     4. To be happy without spending money
     5. To be happy without stepping on others
     6. To be happy without sinning

C. Companions affect your morality
     1. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
     2. Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
     3. Lot’s values shifted at Sodom
     4. You will think something is all right because your companions are all doing it.

With whom are you running?
They are affecting your character!

III. CONCLUSION

“… shall be wise … shall be destroyed.”

Your choice of companions will result in one of two things in your life and in the lives of your children:
1. Construction – “wise” building, fruitfulness
2. Collapse – “destroyed” destruction, failure

Construction or collapse will happen:

A. In your family
     1. Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
     2. Proverbs 14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

B. In your finances
     1. Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
     2. Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

C. In your faithfulness
     1. Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

D. In your fruitfulness
     1. Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
     2. A believer can be fruitful and leave an inheritance that is not only a financial one, but spiritual wealth!

Examine your choice of companions!
Be very careful about getting too close, if they are not “wise”:
1. With co-workers
2. With relatives
3. With Christians
4. With television
5. With the Internet
6. With the telephone
7. With neighbors

---