SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/25/2013
9:51 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Friends
& Neighbors
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Proverbs
Message of the
verses: We will begin in today’s SD
looking at what Proverbs has to say about friends and family. I am not sure how far we will get on this
subject so perhaps it will take more than one day to finish it.
In Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary on this subject he states
that the Hebrew word for friend and neighbor are the same word (ra’a). “In this survey, we’ll include both meanings;
for what’s true of friends ought to be true of neighbors.”
The basis for
friendship: We need to first look at
Proverbs 17:17 to show that the most important ingredient for friendship is
love: “A friend loves at all times, and
a brother is born for adversity.” As we
go through life we will find out that it is possible to have many companions
but not have any true friends, and I would say that this is not good: “A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I suppose that I have misunderstood this
verse for a long time, for I thought that Solomon was speaking of the Lord who
sticks closer than a brother but perhaps he was speaking of a good friend, a
friend that has taken a long time to cultivate a friendship with. Friendship takes a long time to grow and its
roots must go down deep.
As believers we must be careful when making friends: A righteous man is cautious in friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray (Pr. 17:26).” “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a
companion of fools suffers harm (Pr. 13:20).”
When we base our friendship on money we are going to be greatly disappointed,
or if they are based on sin they will even be more disappointing: “A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbor’s
mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good Pr. 16:29 BBE).” Having
a friend with a bad temper is not good either: “24 ¶ Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man, 25 Or you
will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself Pr. 22:24-25).” Friends with foolish people is not good
either: “Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his
lips (Pr. 14:7),” or those who rebel against authority, “21 ¶ My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not
associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And
who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? (Pr. 24:21-22) Don’t make friends with the dishonest “An
unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is
abominable to the wicked (Pr. 29:27).”
Here are some other verses that are good for believers to
follow when making friends: “1 ¶ How blessed is the man who does not walk in
the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the
seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is
in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night (Psalm
1:1-2).” “14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers;
for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has
light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony
has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of
God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
"I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND
THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17
"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says
the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 "And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty (2 Cor.
6:14-18).”
The Qualities of
True Friendship: We have already
mentioned the first and probably the best ingredient of true friendship and
that is love as seen in Proverbs 17:17a, “A friend loves at all times.” We may find that during a time of crisis that
our friends help us more than our family does, however this friendship must be
shown to our parents and other family members too. It is possible that some of our family are
not believers and when times of trouble comes to them we will be able to show
the love of Jesus to them, which will also be a good witness. I know that when my mom passed onto glory
that I was blessed to have the support of both my friends and also my family
and that was a wonderful experience.
Another thing we must respect and have with our friends
is keeping things confidential: “9 Argue your case with your neighbor, And do
not reveal the secret of another, 10 Or
he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass
away Pr. 25:9-10).” Here is some more
advice from Solomon on this subject: “He
who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy
conceals a matter Pr.11:13).” Gossip can
ruin a friendship, “A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates
intimate friends (Pr. 16:28).”
We will pick up on the rest of these qualities in the
nest Spiritual Diary.
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: I has been very
good to go over these qualities of having a good friend and even has given
conviction to my heart.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Do something about what has convicted me.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:1-4
1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is
the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my
sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon
me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
Turning Points Wisdom for Today: “Wisdom is development wisdom is discipline
wisdom is discernment wisdom is dignity wisdom is discretion wisdom is depth of
understanding wisdom is devotion to God.
(David Jeremiah) “When wisdom
enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will
preserve you; understanding will keep you.”
(Psalm 2:10-11)
2/25/2013 10:41 AM
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