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Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ. Proverbs on Friendship, Part 2 Selected Scriptures. We multiply our joy and divide our sorrows by sharing them with friends. Levels of Friendship.
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Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Proverbs on Friendship, Part 2Selected Scriptures We multiply our joy and divide our sorrows by sharing them with friends
Levels of Friendship There are different levels of friendship in which people can move up or down Some people can handle more friendships at various levels, but everyone has limitations The multitudes are those you encounter in the course of life
Levels of Friendship Acquaintances are those you know a little about Casual friends are those you know general information about and can talk about some personal issues
Levels of Friendship Close friends are those you trust enough to help you achieve goal and desires and overcome weaknesses Intimate (best) friends are those you trust enough to share your deep thoughts & emotions
Isolation Proverbs 18:1 Those with few or no intimate friends are in a dangerous position living contrary to sound reason Pain is to be expected living in a cursed world - we must follow God’s plan for dealing with it
Isolation Proverbs 18:1 Your plans seem wise to you (Proverbs 12:15), and we should plan, but let God direct the steps (16:9) Pride causes all sorts of problems including separation from God’s sources of wisdom
Isolation Proverbs 18:1 Godly friendships are God’s design for His people to help one another spiritually mature
Inundation Proverbs 18:24 Too many acquaintances and casual friends hinder you from developing close and intimate friends Seek to develop true friends you can trust and that will help you walk with Christ
Blessed or Cursed?Psalm 1 Blessing requires avoiding ungodly influence, not just having godly influence Ungodly progression of influence walk in counsel of ungodly stand in way of sinners sit in seat of scoffers
Influencing, not Influenced Jesus was a “friend of tax-gatherers and sinners” yet not influenced by them A lopsided friendship - they consider you a closer friend than you consider them - you give, not get Lopsided relationships are common and normal for various reasons
Influencing, not Influenced A humble person remains a true friend even if desire to deepen a friendship is not mutual A proud person nurses hurt and rejects & may even disparage an unreturned advance of friendship
Influencing, not Influenced Kings Solomon’s life models the negative influence of the ungodly - Deuteronomy 17 cf 1 Kings 11 You will become like those whom you like
Sinners Proverbs 1:8-19 Sinners whose feet run to evil and hasten to shed innocent blood are hated by and an abomination to God Adversity pursues sinners and their wealth is stored up for the righteous (Prov. 23:21-17)
The Wicked and the Evil Proverbs 4:14-19 People marked by this character are also hated by and an abomination to God (Prov. 6:16-19) Proverbs 6:12-15 gives further description of the wicked person along with a warning of their future
The Wicked and the Evil Proverbs 4:14-19 The wicked are further described in Proverbs 12:10, 12; 13:5; 16:17; 17:23; 18:3; 21:10 and 29:7 Their mouths are described in Proverbs 8:7; 10:11, 32; 11:11; 12:5,6; 15:28; and 19:28
The Wicked and the Evil Proverbs 4:14-19 Without repentance the wicked have little temporal hope - Prov. 5:22-23; 10:16; 11:21; 12:21; 13:17, etc The curse of the Lord is upon them and they will be condemned - Prov. 3:33; 12:2; 10:17,27: 24:20
The Immoral Woman Proverbs 5, 6 & 7 Keep your way far from her and do not desire her - Proverbs 5:8; 6:23-25, 7:4-5 Her way leads to destruction and death - Proverbs 7:25-27
The Fool Proverbs 14:7 This is the person who is dull and obstinate with a proclivity to make wrong choices (Prov. 10:23; 14:9) If a friendship hinders discernment of wisdom, you are on the path of folly & will suffer - Prov. 13:20
Hot tempered man Proverbs 22:24-25 Such a quick temper exalts folly - Proverbs 14:29 You will be the recipient of their folly and become embroiled in their strife - Prov. 29:2 You may learn his ways and be ensnared in folly yourself
Gossips Proverbs 20:19 Believing their lies and innuendo can cause separation of intimate friends - Prov. 26:20, 16:28 They are a constant source of strife and cannot be trusted - Prov. 26:20; 11:13
Conclusions Be careful about your friendships and particularly with those who are your close and intimate friends. We desire to reach even kinds of people with the gospel, but we must not let them influence us
Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ