Rev. David Holwick P
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 4, 2003 Proverbs 1:10-18
1 Corinthians 15:33
CORRUPTING COMPANIONS
I. Everybody needs friends.
A. One way to get them.
Mike Correll, a 54-year-old entrepreneur, has built a healthy
business in Atlanta on a peculiar, if pragmatic, belief:
- successful men have little time for making friends.
But they do have enough money to buy them.
That's right; for a fee that runs as high as $1,200, Mr. Correll
will go out and buy you a buddy.
Not just any buddy; not for just any buddy.
Rather, Mr. Correll specializes in the corner office: matching
harried and isolated male executives who claim they can't
find the time to make close friends.
[1]
So what about the rest of us?
We'll have to get friends the old-fashioned way - make them.
B. Good ones can make you, bad ones can break you.
1) We need the right kind of friends.
a) Very significant influence, especially when we're young.
2) Bad ones warp our character. 1 Cor 15:33
3) Good ones build good character. Prov 13:20
"He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm."
II. Why we are prone to corrupting companions.
A. The appeal of rebellion.
1) We are all predisposed to rebellion.
a) Children learn it at an early age.
2) Korah, cousin of Moses. Num 16:1-35
a) He influenced 250 others to oppose the authority of
Moses.
b) These men already had rebellious attitudes.
B. The desire for man's approval.
1) We all crave it.
2) King Saul lost his kingship over it. 1 Sam 13:1-14
a) He offered forbidden sacrifices.
b) He submitted to soldiers' fear rather than God's
sovereignty.
C. The pleasure of sin.
1) Sin is fun. It promises to satisfy our deepest longings.
2) It can be profitable. Prov 1:13-14
a) But eventually we must pay a very steep price.
III. Signs of corruption.
A. False theology. Deut 13:6
1) It tripped up King Solomon.
2) What you believe will filter into how you act.
B. Specific behavior in Proverbs.
1) Lying Prov 12:22
2) Greed Prov 15:27
3) Gossip and division Prov 16:28
4) Anger and violence Prov 16:29
5) Lack of compassion Prov 29:7
C. Those with loose morals concerning sex. 1 Cor 5:11
1) Especially if they claim to be a Christian.
D. Are YOU being a negative influence on others? Matt 18:6-7
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe
in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a
large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned
in the depths of the sea.
"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people
to sin!
Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom
they come!
IV. Negative influence isn't always obvious.
A. Our biggest enemy may not be outside church, but in it.
1) Wolves in sheep's clothing. 2 Th 2:3, 2 Pet 3:17, 1 Jn 4:1
2) Paul commands introspection before taking communion because
some of the Christians were being selfish and rude.
B. Subtle signs of negative influence.
1) Feel heavy-hearted.
2) Violating areas where you hold convictions.
3) Making questionable decisions that weren't options before.
4) More lax in areas where you know you are weak.
5) Rationalizing behavior you previously avoided.
V. How to handle people-influence.
A. Limit exposure to bad influences.
1) Ask God for wisdom - most people are not 100% bad influence.
2) Reduce exposure to that person or limit communication.
3) Set parameters. (go to parks with them, but not parties)
4) Distance yourself.
5) Run for your life. 1 Cor 6:18, 10:14; 2 Tim 2:22
B. Seek out positive influences.
1) Christian friends who build you up.
2) Especially necessary in the area of romance. 2 Cor 6:14
a) Paul's strong statement - "don't be unequally yoked."
b) Partner-up only with believers.
C. Be a positive influence.
1) Are you worth hanging around?
2) Can you influence them more than they will you?
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
My sermon draws heavily from the article "Breaking Up with Bad Company,"
by Lynne M. Thompson in Discipleship Journal #135, May/June 2003,
pp. 49ff.
[1] "Choose Friends Carefully," sermon by Rev. Adrian Dieleman,
Trinity Christian Reformed Church; Visalia, California;
http://trinitycrc.org/sermons; September 17, 2000.
Sermon #16382 in Holwick Database.
These and 23,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://illust.holwick.com
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