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Amnon had a friend - 2Sam. 13
Amnon had a friend - 2Sam. 13
Friends can be one of our greatest assets, but they can also be a worst enemy!
Amnon was love-sick for his half-sister, Tamar. Desiring her was not the problem but fulfilling such desires outside of God's laws on marriage was.
Enter the 'friend'. He is my friend. He is my cousin. He is a shrewd man. Surely his advice is right. Besides, following his advice will produce my desires. It is easy to progress down this path of reasoning, but all the reasoning in the world does not change sinful into holy.
In the first place, such 'friends' are NOT our friends. Anyone and everyone who would lead us away from God and into sin is not a friend. Proverbs warns against such 'friends' (Prov. 1:10f). Evil companions such as Jonadab corrupt good morals and lead into sin and condemnation. Thus, Paul warned: “Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1Cor. 15:33).
Unfortunately, friends are often terrible counselors! They are prone to take our side concerning plans and desires. Instead of being helpful in sorting out, they simply encourage us in our selfish and destructive pathway. They should assess the situation according to what is right and wrong, and not just from the basis of liking us. It would be better to be rebuked by a true friend than be encouraged in wrongdoing. If WE are people of integrity, they do not become our enemy by telling us the truth!
Are your friends like Nathan (2Sam. 12) or Jonadab (2Sam. 13)?
Hugh DeLong
A Short collection of related scriptures:
Exodus 23:2 2 "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice;
2 Chronicles 13:7 7 and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them.
Psalms 1:1 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!
Proverbs 13:20 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 16:29 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.
Proverbs 22:24-25 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.
Ephesians 5:11-12 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
Proverbs 1:10-15 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit; 13 We will find all kinds of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with spoil; 14 Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse," 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,
RATHER
Psalms 119:63 63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
