Choosing Your Companions Wisely

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Choosing Your Companions Wisely

• Choosing your companions
• in light of the Lords will.
• Prov. 1320

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INTRODUCTION

• Lets face it, life is difficult when you feel
  all alone.
• It is seemingly more difficult to have joy in
  your life.
• When there is joy there is seemingly no one to
  share it with.
• It is natural, therefore, to cling to anyone who
  will be your friend (or appear to be your friend).

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INTRODUCTION

• Yet, knowing the influence people can have over
  your life it is important to choose your friends
  wisely.
• Your soul is too precious.
• The souls of those close to you are
  influencedand just as precious.

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INTRODUCTION

• In this lesson we shall see what Gods word has
  to say about companionship and how our choices
  affects our lives (Prov. 1320)
• The blessings of companionship.
• The views worldly vs. spiritual.
• The effect our choices have on our lives.

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companionship relationship

• Blessings of companionship Ecc. 49-12
• There is someone to share your life with.
• Comfort in time of need.
• There is someone to help you in your time of
  difficulty.
• There is a sense of security and a higher level
  of protection.
• These various relationships bring joy and comfort
  to an otherwise lonely person. Cp. Gen. 218-20

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companionship relationship

• Examples of companionship in the scriptures
• Paul and Barnabas. Acts 9-15 (1 Cor. 96)
• They continued to have regard for one another,
  even after parting ways (for spiritual reasons).
• David and Jonathan. 1 Sam. 181-3
• Friendship closer than blood!
• Naomi and Ruth. Ruth 112-17
• Although a Moabite, Ruth was loyal to Naomi.
• Even Naomis friends saw the love between her and
  Ruth. Ruth 415

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companionship relationship

• Bottom line your choice of companions will
  influence the way you live your life. Gal. 67-8
• Friendship with God and his people. Heb. 115
  Acts 246-47
• Friendship with the world. Jas. 44

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Choosing our Companions

• Worldly view of companionship
• Become friends with anyone who shares the same
  interests without regard to (or indifferent to)
  Gods will.
• This person typically attracts or is attracted to
  worldly people because this person views things
  in worldly waysnot with Gods will in mind.

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Choosing our Companions

• The potential consequences of this view
• You might enjoy being with this person, but it
  may not be what is best for your soul (or the
  souls of others).
• A person continuing this relationship may not
  realize the potential danger down the road and
  deceives himself thinking that he will not be
  influenced by his companion.

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Choosing our Companions

• Spiritual view of companionship.
• Using Gods will to determine the level of
  companionship he has with others. Cp. Gal. 610
  Eph. 219
• This person typically attracts or is attracted to
  spiritually minded people because this person
  views things in spiritual wayswith Gods will in
  mind.

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Effects of our Chosen Companions

• companionship, as it gets stronger yields like
  results.
• This can be a positive effect on your life.
  Prov. 1320a
• When a person outside the body of Christ
  spends has his affection on a faithful Christian.
• When a babe or weak in Christ and seek to share
  your life with (spiritually) mature Christians.

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Effects of our Chosen Companions

• This can also be a negative effect on your life.
  Prov. 1320b
• We know that evil company corrupts good habits.
  1 Cor. 1533
• Some choose to continue in relationships with
  evil company.
• Even godly persons if he does not behave with
  wisdom can lead his companions astray or be
  lead astray by them. Cp. Gal. 211-13

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Effects of our Chosen Companions

• Bottom Line you choose who your companions are.
• Our souls are too important to make light of the
  kind of companions we have. Cp. Jas. 44
• It influences or strengthens the kind of person
  you are.
• Christians should put Gods will in the forefront
  of our decision. Cp. Matt. 621

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Conclusion

• There is nothing wrong with associating with
  those outside the body of Christ.
• The danger comes when our affections are tied to
  the world, rather than with the wise. Prov. 1320