JANUARY 4

PROVERBS 1:10-15

BE CAREFUL IN CHOICE OF FRIENDS

"A teen was slashed by a gang of teens armed with parangs." This recent news shocked many. Did it shock you? It resulted from a gang fight. How did gangs come about? Some lonely teens met and made friends with each other and they began to befriend other lonely girls and boys. Then they would gather to take oaths to "protect" each other.So,what do they do when they meet? Idle minds are the devil’s workshop. To look cool, they would encourage each other to fight other gangs to show their power, smoke, take drugs or to do other unlawful things.

You may say, "I am not that stupid to be involved." But think again. Prov 1:10 says, "...if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." It is a warning to Christian boys and girls against bad company. No matter how young or old we are, we can be easily in uenced. Believe it or not. Look around you  and see how your friends and you tend to dress alike, like the same kind of music, speak like each other or even have the same habits.

God wants us to be good. He knows how easily we can be influenced. So, He warns us to choose our friends carefully. Beware of those who are  proud, lazy, dishonest, disobedient and are troublemakers. If someone asks  you to throw your homework aside and go see a movie instead, don’t say yes. If someone asks you to take some money from your parents’ drawer, be sure to avoid him. If someone o ers to help you cheat in an exam, report him to your teacher. You ought to be friendly, kind and helpful to everybody. But don’t make friends with anyone who tempts you to sin.
     

         Draw a picture of your
         best friend. Write down
         three of his or her good
         qualities or habits.

Thought: True friends are treasures, precious and rare.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, help me to be a true friend to others by obeying  Your commandments. Keep me from falling into bad company but keep me close to my best friend, the Lord Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen.