Sin Buddies

Many times, we want our friends to agree with our thoughts, decisions, and conduct. Before, after or during our decisions, we seek the advice of one our friends for love, understanding, acceptance, or appreciation.

We have different friends for different situations. We have some friends that we only allow to help us with a specific situation or area. We have other friends we call to help us get through tough times or make difficult decisions. Of all the friends we can have, the most dangerous is the sin buddy.

A sin buddy is someone that will either agree with, encourage, or promote sinful conduct. The sin buddy can exist in any of our categories of friends, but usually they are in their own category.

For example, you have a friend that hates your spouse and have made it known. They have told you to leave them and find another spouse or to find someone ‘on the side’ to please you. Now, if you’re having marital problems and you’re trying to work through your problems, would you call this person? NO! You know their position and can guess what they will tell you. But if you didn’t want your marriage to work, they may be the first person you call…

As we meet people and get to know them, we have a pretty good understanding on where people stand on many issues. Though we get surprised every once in a while, we usually know who will help us stand, who will walk over us, and who will keep us pinned to the ground.

There are also times when people will check for sin buddies. For example, one of your friends helps you with problems at your office. They have provided some sound advice and have not steered you wrong. Though they have not shown themselves to be a sin buddy, you test them to find out (if your desire is to sin). You may ask them subtle questions or introduce the information in pieces to check their response. Depending on their response, you will categorize them accordingly.

We may know sin buddies exist, but we must not allow them to have any influence in our lives. It is up to us to turn from them when temptation crouches at our door. We must turn from them to entice, encourage, and promote sinful behavior. In tempting times, we must seek out those we know will steer us in the right direction.

Psalm 37:30 (KJV) – The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

^{Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Nikkie Nelson}