Topic: Avoid Bad Associations [Thursday July 20, 2017]
Text: 2 Chronicles 22:1-12
Key Verse: “Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction” (2 Chronicles 22:4).
Association with bad company is very dangerous to a Christian’s spiritual life. It will gradually lead him back into sin. It starts with befriending a class of people who are not necessarily deep in outward sin, but simply without God.
They might be the people he meets at his work place, who tell him he is too fanatic and invite him to take things easy. Next, he is found standing with the sinners. Before long, he stops walking closely with God and loiters with those who commit outward sins. Finally, he feels a little more at home and soon finds himself taking on their ways, mocking all that is righteous and holy and hating the teaching of the Bible.
This was what happened in the text, to Ahaziah, the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who associated himself with the house of Ahab and had them as his counsellors, instead of the Living God. He joined affinity with the son of Ahab, Joram, to fight against Jehu, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. He met his waterloo as Jehu executed judgment on the house of Ahab. He died prematurely and was buried as a commoner. Our association is key to our success in life and eternity.
A Christian must carefully choose his companions. He lives in the world of sin, does business with its inhabitants and lives among those who are ungodly. Yet, a Christian must realise the danger of close association with the mixed multitude. Ungodly association will sap the foundations of his spiritual strength and imperceptibly cool that fervency of spirit which attended his first love. As all good men desire and endeavour to make others good like themselves, likewise all bad men desire and endeavour to make their companions as bad as themselves. Thus, all those who fear and love God should come out from among all those who don’t. You must separate from all unnecessary associations with them, for God has promised blessings both in time and eternity to all who renounce the company of ungodly men.
Thought for the day: Ungodly association, will sap the foundations of spiritual strength.
Bible Reading in one Year: Exodus 12-16
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
