As a follower of Christ, it’s important to be aware of the kinds of people we associate ourselves with. For starters, being in a community with like-minded believers should be a priority when seeking friends. The personalities and people who you meet and become friends with should encourage you, challenge you, and may I also add–correct you. Yep, you heard that right. Correct you! (Skip to the end of this post to read bible verses from the book of Proverbs on choosing friends and accepting correction)
It seems like many people these days don’t want to be corrected. A person may say, “Who are you to judge me?” Well friend, if we are both walking with the Lord, He is the one who says. Many so-called Christians or those living for the world are quick to say “you have no right to judge me!” and then throw out Matthew 7:1 which writes: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Yes, you read that clearly; however, keep on reading. We need context. The verse continues, “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (v.2-3). If you walk around superficially judging someone for what they wear, how they treat their kids, or what they do on the weekends–then yes, Jesus tells us that same judgment will be imposed on you. Let’s keep going… “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite!” (v.4-5). Let me use another analogy to explain: Jesus is telling us what right do we have going around criticizing our neighbor for their yard not being tended to when the grass is hardly overgrown, yet we are standing in our yard with grass, brush, and weeds past our knees! We would be hypocritical for something like that, He says. Now, finishing up with verse 5, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Ding, ding, ding! There it is my friends. Let’s unfold that:
We aren’t told to “not judge” like many people misinterpret the first verse in Matthew 7. I’ve already explained that. When you continue to read, you learn the actual message behind what Jesus is telling us. If we weren’t ever to judge, critique, or guide our fellow brothers and sisters, then there wouldn’t be any sanctification happening in our lives. And more importantly, there wouldn’t be any TRUTH to live by… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). We must hold steadfast to the Scriptures of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God” –not just some, part, or a little…but all– “and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Wow! What truth written right there about the bible. May I also add Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Mic drop. Hello!? Sisters, are you not just fired up reading how powerful the Word of God is!? I’m going to write verse 13 that follows, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Some fear and reverence for our Lord should settle in after reading that verse. Nothing is hidden from God. Nothing. You will give an account to Him for your life. Even the things that have happened behind closed doors.
That verse ties into the ‘not judging’ verse I first started with. Because nothing is hidden from God, we shouldn’t try to live a ‘pretend’ life hiding things from our loved ones. The truth is bound to come out–whether it’s to a spouse, your children, a friend, or the Lord Almighty–the truth will be revealed. So after reading Hebrews 13, it’s a warning to all humanity. We shouldn’t live our lives with hidden secrets. Instead, confess your sins. Walk in truth. Edify your loved ones through guidance and wisdom given by the Word of God. Surround yourself with a community and with friends who will guide you and challenge you on your walk with the Lord. Wouldn’t you want to be around people that keep you grounded in biblical truth and provide correction when things get shaky? I sure would! We are not called to conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Playing ‘follow the leader’ to people who are not grounded in biblical truth/don’t have their foundation set on Christ is a dangerous game to play, friend. Go against the grain. Live your life unashamed for the truth of the gospel and the living Word of God. As Jesus puts it in Matthew 7:14, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
God bless and peace be with you. I pray this post touched you in some way, mamas, sisters, and friends! Please share this with your loved ones or on socials. All glory to God!
Bible verses on choosing your friends wisely:
- “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
–Proverbs 12:26 - “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”
–Proverbs 1:10 - “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them” –Proverbs 24:1
- “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.” –Proverbs 27:9
- “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” –Proverbs 13:20
- “Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat” –Proverbs 23:20
- “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” –Proverbs 18:24
- “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
–Proverbs 15:22 - “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.” –Proverbs 18:1
- “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” –Proverbs 22:24-25
Bible verses on accepting instruction:
- “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.” –Proverbs 23:12
- “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” –Proverbs 19:20
- “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life”
–Proverbs 6:23 - “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man and he will increase in learning.” –Proverbs 9:9
- “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despise his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” –Proverbs 15:31-32
- “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” –Proverbs 15:32
- “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” –Proverbs 18:15
- “Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray away from the words of knowledge.”
–Proverbs 19:27 - “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” –Proverbs 12:1
- “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” –Proverbs 10:17
- “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” –Proverbs 13:18
Leave a Reply