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by Kevin Pauley
How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. - Psalm 1:1-2 HCSB
It is good to have righteous friends because it is nearly impossible to not be influenced by those who are around us. We humans are such social creatures that we will take on the characteristics of the crowd within short order.
Go to a construction site and look at all the workers. Though they don’t wear uniforms, their dress is nearly uniform in appearance. Visit a factory line. Listen in on the conversations. You will find not only the same topics of conversation up and down the line but almost the same vocabulary being used.
Quoheleth said, “Don't make friends with an angry man, and don't be a companion of a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”[1] Paul advised Timothy, “Don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”[2] He further commanded the Corinthians, “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”[3]
Notice that I didn’t say it was impossible to have unsaved friends and remain pure – I said nearly impossible. It’s not that we must, like the Pharisees or monks, seek to isolate ourselves from all who are not like us.[4] The Ransomed are not xenophobic. It is impossible to fulfill the Master’s Great Commission and not get involved in relationships with the unsaved. However, we must recognize that there’s a big difference between living and working with the wicked while considering them a mission field and accepting their spiritual advice, taking their paths or joining them in mockery!
Mao Tse Tung advised “The guerrilla is the fish that swims in the ocean of the people.” Our Master warned, "Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”[5]
We must work with the children of darkness because we are living deep in enemy territory. Like guerrilla fighters, we seek to initiate friendships with the populace in the hopes that they will join us in the fight against the adversary. We practice good works among them, first in the hopes that they will listen to what we have to say; second. to frustrate our enemy and push his efforts back to the very gates of hell.
In this spiritual war, we must be flexible, tactical, strategic and quick. We must not allow ourselves to flinch at the task before us. Most of all, we must choose our associations carefully. As David said elsewhere, “I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts.”[6]
[1] Proverbs 22:24-25 HCSB
[2] 1 Timothy 5:22b HCSB
[3] 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 HCSB
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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