Reference

Proverbs 13:20, 2 Timothy 2:22

Friends Influence Friends

  • "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." (Jim Rohn)
  • Who you spend time with would influence the person you eventually become.
  • Who you hang out with can elevate you as much as bring you down.
  • "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20)


Story of Rehoboam

  • The king abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him.
  • The end result of what Rehoboam did caused the division of the tribes of Israel.
  • Just because of his one decision, the destiny of the whole nation changed forever.  


Story of Timothy

  • "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22) 
  • Paul urged Timothy to RUN AWAY from sinful desires, to RUN AFTER what is right, but never RUN ALONE.
  • The pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace is NOT to be done alone but along with other believers.
  • Paul did not ask Timothy to put holiness, purity, and honorable works in one box, and then put friendship and community and in a separate box.


True friends pursue God together

  • Paul asked Timothy to learn about holiness and purity in the context of a Christian community.
  • Paul asked Timothy to pursue the Lord along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
  • When the Bible talks about true friendship, the common themes are: holiness, purity, honorable works, pleasing the Lord 

Reflections

  • In your faith journey, is there anyone who has been a blessing to you? Give thanks to God for these names. 
  • Pray for true friends: that God will connect you to brothers and sisters who will become true friends in your faith journey 
  • Pray for yourself: that you will also become such a friend, who will offer this kind of friendship to each other.