Be Careful With Some "Friends"

We often think that it is the teenager who needs to be careful with who they are friends with. While it is true that the wrong kind of friend and influence have been the downfall of many a teen, the same can be said for the Christian adult. The 16th chapter of Proverbs gives us some instruction on how to be careful with some "friends":

1. Be Careful Who Helps You - Proverbs 16:5 - Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. The phrase, "though hand join in hand" is what stood out to me this morning. It is interesting to note all those who go astray with pride usually have someone behind the scenes, "stoking the fire." We need to be careful about those who may be telling us how great we are, all the time. It has been well said by others that we should not be so quick to, "Believe all the press clippings about us."
   
2. Be Careful Who Hangs with You - Proverbs 16:19 - Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Often times, the proud look at their spoil and tell people, "See, this is so much better than that other guy over there with the lowly." Yet, it is this very trap that we must watch out for today. Especially in Christianity, where so much "success" is determined by human measure, and not Spiritual mandates.
   
3. Be Careful Who Hints and Heaps with You - Proverbs 16:27 - An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is a burning fire. It is sad today that most Christians are more willing to dig up evil and spread rumors and gossip than spread the Gospel and minister to people. The word "diggeth" implies that you are getting into something that is not your business You must be careful of surrounding yourself with those who want to dig into other people's lives and churches because when you are with them, you get their dirt heaped upon you.