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Friday, July 17,
2009
The Company We Keep
Psalms 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in
the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he
doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff
which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in
the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the
LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall
perish. (KJV)
Does the company we keep make a
difference in our walk with the Lord? Oh most definitely, because as we see
illustrated above, in order for you to become rooted and grounded with the
Lord you will need to forsake those that are not of the Lord and who are unhealthy
to your walk.
Psalms 26:4-5 I have not sat with vain
persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. (5) I have hated the
congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. (KJV)
You know, it is important where we
fellowship and what we put God’s stamp of approval on. There are many that
profess to know God but in their works or lifestyle they deny Him. When you
decide to sit in a congregation that is not of the Lord but is more in line
with man’s way of thinking you are in essence giving credence to something
that is vain, useless, and without results.
James 4:3-5 Ye ask, and receive not,
because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (4) Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world
is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is
the enemy of God. (5) Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (KJV)
Why are you asking for things that are
not of the Lord but are rather more of this world? Well, look at who you
have been associating with and it is quite obvious that it involves those
that are more concerned with things below and not above. Like in a marriage,
you made a vow and a commitment to that other person, and nothing will send
a marriage spiraling down the tubes quicker than adultery. Well Spiritual
adultery doesn’t work either, because rather than staying committed to the
Lord you have gone after things that are not of God, but rather they are the
things of the god of this world. Friendship with the world means that you
think and act just like them, even though you claim you are of God. Every
time one of the world’s gimmicks comes along, there is the so called church
acting just like the world thinking that if they throw a few scriptures in
it will be legit.
Luke 12:13-15 And one of the company said
unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with
me. (14) And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over
you? (15) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for
a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth. (KJV)
Isn’t this the mindset of the world,
bigger is better, the more the merrier? Sounds like a lot of the doctrines that
man has been throwing out to the congregations lately as well, making it
look like God only blesses us with carnal things. It only takes a little
leaven to get into the bread and it will affect the whole loaf eventually
if not dealt with. What do you consider abundance; what is on the outside,
or what is bringing peace to the inward man?
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? (15) And
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? (16) 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. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty. (KJV)
“I just don’t sense God’s presence
lately, or I am not sure God is answering my prayers”. Well, you might want
to take a look around you and see who and what kind of doctrine you have
surrounded yourself with, because if it is not of God then He certainly is
not going to put His stamp of approval on it is He? Now if you desire a
close relationship with the Father, one that is more personal and real,
then it will take some action on your part in order for it to take place.
All these so called pillars, people, who others have said were of God were
not really a benefit in your walk but rather a stumbling block. Bottom line
folks, if it is not peaceable, then it may well be time to get out and
pursue the peace of God elsewhere.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Be not deceived:
evil communications corrupt good manners. (34) Awake to righteousness, and
sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your
shame. (KJV)
There is a big difference in what God
approves of and what mankind gives approval to, something that can get in
and corrupt whatever good intentions you had in the beginning of your walk.
I can tell you from my own personal experience with the Lord that many
times, many places, as well as with many different people, what I thought
was a safe haven actually turned out to be a place where I got hit with
what the military describes as friendly fire.
Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the
instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. (KJV)
Does the company we keep matter to the
Lord? Most definitely it does, because whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
If you are involved with someone or some organization that is not of the
Lord, then eventually it will lead to your downfall if not dealt with
accordingly. God bless and stay alert.
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