So, do we know the people around us? Our friends, are they who we think they are? Or, are they the illusion of a dream, a hope we once had, a pretend vision that has never come true?
We have to peel back the veneers to ensure that our friends are truly who we need them to be.
Genesis 10:20 tells us:
“These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.”
Satan has a goal. His intention is to place the enemies of our soul into our path. He knows that if he can distract us, he has a credible chance of creating an obstacle that we can’t get past. We’ll feel overwhelmed, and in that moment of frustration, we may very well fall from our pedestal of grace.
Our friends are close to us. They know us inside and out. If we have a fault, it’s revealed in our day-to-day associations with those we’ve learned to trust.
Who better to divide us from God than those we are closest to? We have to insure that our most trusted confidants are ones who are bonded closely to Jesus. Our verse for today tells us how.
“These are the sons of Ham…”
What are our friends’ histories? How have they comported themselves in the past? Have they encouraged us on party binges, or is prayer more their style? Their evidence of spiritual lineage makes a difference.
“…after their families…”
Who do our friends spend their time with, partiers, or people versed in the Word of God? Who we hang around with is who we will emulate. We need to emulate Jesus.
“…after their tongues…”
What language does our friend use when in casual conversation? Does she speak with the words of God, or does the world come out in her words? Our tongues are the windows to our spiritual condition. If we speak Christ, we are in Christ.
“…in their countries…”
How are our friends aligned? Buddhism? A friend of the earth? Are they focused on the Inner God we all have? Our beliefs are tantamount to our spiritual condition. If we believe in the one, true God, it will come out in the people we feel unified with.
“…and in their nations.”
National allegiance is the strongest bond many people have. If we are aligned with God, that will trump all other ties. If we place carnal activities above those of the church, we’ve declared our allegiance loud and clear, and the world is listening.
So, who are our friends? Are they helping us toward our spiritual goals, or are they dragging us down? If we want to make heaven our home, we have to decide who we want at our side. The scoreboard of life marks our decision. It’s our call. Let’s make it today.
There is no decision more vital than deciding who walks at our side as we trust our lives to the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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