Friendships in life can draw you closer to the Lord – or drag you away. A look at Godly Friendships. by Dr. Michael Youssef

[Edited Notes The Power of Choice by Michael Youssef] Friendships in life can draw you closer to the Lord – or drag you away. A look at Godly Friendships. The Power of Choice by Dr. Michael Youssef 

The Bible gives us specific character traits of people who we should avoid for close friendship.  I’m not talking about business associates or people you have to deal with all of the time. I’m not talking about people you have to befriend in order to testify to them and to witness to them. I’m talking about covenantal friendships—close friends. I’m talking about people with whom you spend a majority of your time—people who are close to you—that’s what I’m talking about. Proverbs teaches us to avoid certain types of people:

The naïve, to be open—open to the persuasion of others, easily enticed and duped by others, the person who has no convictions, a person who takes a stand on both sides of the issues, a person whose convictions are negotiable (Pr 1:32, 7:7, 14:15, 7:6, 22:3).

The scoffer suffers from an intellectual arrogance.  They are in love with their opinion (Pr 21:24). He delights in a scornful and mocking attitude toward spiritual things—toward God and God’s truth (Pr 1:22). That person hates rebuke and correction (Pr 9:7).

The fool.  This word has nothing to do with the person’s mental capacity. It does not mean stupid.  This person may be getting straight A’s in school.  They may be very successful in life.  This person may have a string of degrees and titles after their name but they are fools.  Why? Because that is a spiritual description and not intellectual or mental description.  The word has to do with his spiritual attitude.  This person is in love with his own opinion.  This person despises wisdom an instruction (Pr 1:7).  Why? Because he is in rebellion against God and God’s truth.  The Power of Choice  (MP3, right click and ‘save target as’ to download) by Michael Youssef