I have a saying that has held true throughout life and that is: “We are as good as the company we keep”. Scripture tells us who we are to company with if we be a servant of Christ. It is a snare to our soul to have a friendship with an angry person, for if we learn of their way we become like them and are no difference for the Lord. (Proverbs 22:24-25).  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

 As Christians we are considered to be the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), but are told to be separate from those who choose to live unrighteously therefore God will be as a Father unto us and we are as His son’s and daughter’s. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 Job was unfortunately surrounded by three friends whose advice became more of a hindrance in comforting him than an offering of genuine help needed from a friend! Yet Job who was a good and righteous man held his ground and told his friends what a miserable comfort they were to him. (Job 16:1-6). Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief. Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

 It’s not easy by any means to love the Lord and have loved ones or friends who need the Lord so desperately, but shun His love for their own life. We too used to live a life away from the Lord before we were redeemed, but God does not expect us to spend all our energy constantly trying to convince others of the love He has for them. We are to do our best to teach others of His love and salvation, but our Lord never stood and argued or said but you have to believe me ever! We merely do our best and remember some will accept Him and others will not. (Jude 1:17-23) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.