Wrong Choices in Friends Produces Evil Consequences

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Wrong Choices in Friends Produces Evil Consequences

Today's Text: As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17

The Message:      You will go through this world but once. Then do not choose as companions young men or young women who will lead you in wrong paths. Turn away from these tempters, for they are Satan's helping hand, used by him to beguile souls to dishonor God.... Do not give the enemy any advantage. Study the history of Daniel and his fellows. Though living where they were met on every side by the temptation to indulge self, Daniel and his companions honored and glorified God in their daily life. They determined to avoid all evil, to refuse to place themselves in the enemy's path. And with rich blessings God rewarded their steadfast loyalty.      Each one of us is making his or her future. All who desire the life that measures with the life of God must take a firm stand against the depravity that is spreading its loathsome disease over the world. They must reject the wrong and choose the right, bravely resisting temptation in every line. They must overcome small temptations; then they will be strengthened to overcome large ones.      There are those who say, You need not be so particular about little matters. In such, conscience accommodates itself to the suggestion of evil until they are educated to do the work that places them in Satan's army. From small wrongs they are led to large wrongs.... The lower passions bear sway, holding the entire being in the tyranny of satanic power. The high, noble purposes that might have controlled the life are swept away by self-indulgence....      Unite with one another in being true to virtue, true to God. Be studious. Reach upward for the highest attainments. The Lord commends earnest, determined effort to gain that knowledge and understanding that will enable you to take your place in the higher grade in the courts above. He looks with approval on watchful, diligent students....      Pray as did Daniel-three times a day, alone with God. Confess every sin you have committed, every mistake you have made.... God says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed." Thus you have built barriers between yourself and sin. You are walking in harmony with God. He has avouched Himself as one who will hear and answer your sincere prayers. He has assured you that He will pardon and accept you. How powerful you may be in this assurance! The Lord is near to all who call upon Him-near to answer and to bless.-Letter 134, 1901.

Commentary: My friend, who we choose to associate with has a decided effect upon our lives.  They will either influence us for the right or the wrong, and it is imperative that we choose wisely those to whom we associate with.  We are not to separate ourselves from the world but we are to be a peculiar people for we are chosen of God to do a mighty work for Him. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"  We are called out to be different from the world, we are to present before them the character of God through the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ living within us.  We cannot do this while we are striving to be like the world. The Word of God tells us "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17, 18).  Too many times we as followers of Christ are not truly following after Him.  We profess Christ but we follow after the world.  If we are to fulfill the work that God has for us we must look unto Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith.  We must lay aside every weight of sin that we may become like Him. Many in the church today only have a form of godliness, meaning that they claim Christ as their Savior, but His life is not manifested in them.  Jesus said of these "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." (Matthew 15:7, 8).  The reason for this is found in the next verse "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." The trinity is a doctrine of men and not of God, and as such those who worship the trinity thinking that they are worshiping God are worshiping Him in vain.  This is why there is so much of the world in the church today.  It is because they have lost sight of the One true God of the Bible.  They have looked unto another god and have taken upon themselves its unholy nature. My friend, the only way that we can be saved is if we are sanctified by Jesus Christ for He is righteous and it is only as He is living within our hearts that we may overcome sin and be prepared to enter into the kingdom of God.  The righteousness of the trinity is a false righteousness and as such cannot sanctify us. Now is the time to look away from the false doctrines of men and take upon ourselves the righteous character of God through His Son Jesus Christ. May this be your prayer today. God bless,

Video of the Week The Unknown God - Nader Mansour When Paul preached in Athens he revealed the unknown God as the Father. This story contains important insights into what is going on today. Nader Mansour examines these parallels. Presented in Melbourne, January 2018.