Open Heaven 22 May 2023

Open Heaven Topic:

CHECK YOUR FRIENDS

Memory Verse:

Proverbs 13:20 (KJV) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Bible Reading: 

Proverbs 1:10-19 (NIV)

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
    do not give in to them.
¹¹ If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
¹² let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
¹³ we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
¹⁴ cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot”—
¹⁵ my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot on their paths;
¹⁶ for their feet rush into evil,
    they are swift to shed blood.
¹⁷ How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
¹⁸ These men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!
¹⁹ Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.

Open Heaven 22 May 2023 Message

You should do a thorough check on your friends to see if they are headed for heaven. There are some people who should clearly be avoided, While others may look good on the outside but deep inside, are not who they pretend to be.

You need to stay away from such friends. There are some character flaws you should look out for and ensure you do not keep people who have such as friends.

For example, if your friend’s temper runs hot stay away from him or her, so you don’t learn his or her ways and ensnare your soul (Proverbs 22:24-25).

Many years ago, I was working as a teacher and befriended a colleague who was from the same part of the country as me. I, however, didn’t know much about him.

One day on our way to Ibadan for a teachers’ programme, we got off the lorry in Ile-Ife, where we would board another to Ibadan. This friend of mine then said he wanted to say hello to a chief nearby and asked me to come along. I did, after all, we were friends.

We got there, he knocked on a door and was asked a strange question from inside, “Is it a fish or a crab?” My friend answered and said, “One fish and one crab”. We were let in, but as we left, I began to wonder what this strange statement meant.

When we arrived in Ibadan, he said he wanted to visit another fellow. I followed him, he knocked at the door and was asked, “Who is that, a goat or a sheep?” My friend answered, “One goat, one sheep”. By now, I was seriously troubled.

I got home and asked the elders what the statements meant. They said, knowingly, “Ah, where did you hear that?” That was the end of my friendship with that fellow.

Up to today, I don’t understand what those statements really meant, but I didn’t have to be told that they were occultic and dangerous. Check your friends, be watchful and careful.

The Bible says evil communication corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). The Romans used to say, “As bad apples spoil good ones, so do bad friends spoil good boys”.

Before today is out, do a thorough check on all your friends. If there are some that are not living a holy life, preach the word of God to them and if they refuse to change, please separate yourself from such persons immediately.

Open Heaven Hymn: 

When We Walk With The Lord

Open Heaven Point:

Your friends are an indication of the influences that determine who you will become. Make and retain only godly friends.

Bible in One Year:

Nehemiah 4, Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7