Companion of fools
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 13:20(NLT) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Introduction: Thanks be to God for seeing us through dangers of last week and opportunity to be fed by the living words again this week. The Almighty God will continue to feed us amidst scarcity
I pray that we shall not be a castaway after receiving God’s word in Jesus name.
Sometimes ago, we watched on social media the humiliation of a female graduate from University of Ibadan who just completed her NYSC and was arrested with a criminal by law enforcement officers. She was humiliated by the barrage of embarrassing questions being put to her while she was crying and rolling on the floor tearfully defending her innocence about any relationship and activity with the said fraudulent man. Seeing her raw pain I felt great compassion for her and wished she had listened to her ‘God mind’ and not be lured with whatever carrots that might have been dangled by the fraudulent man. It then occurred to me that it is the same way the devil waits for an opportune time to humiliate us if we fall into his trap. You can imagine the pain of parents seeing their daughter caught in such webs of shame, seeing the agony of the lady who didn’t know her associate is a criminal according to her in the viral video. Christians can also be found in the companions of fools.
This week, we want to rely entirely on the Holy Spirit for Help, the Lord Jesus Christ for Grace and our Heavenly Father for His Mercy as we look at Companion of fools.
I pray for understanding as we study at His feet in Jesus name.
A companion is someone you spend time with while a fool is anyone without Jesus Christ.
Ps.53:1(NLT) Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
Anyone that is not for Jesus will be against Jesus; and such person is a fool.
Luke 11:23 (NLT) “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
Our text says; …but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. And NLT says; …associate with fools and get in trouble.
Therefore, knowing that anyone without Jesus Christ is a fool, then to avoid getting into trouble and destruction, there’s need to identify who we spend our time with.
“Who is your companion?” Who do you spend your time with?
What does it mean to be companion of fools ?
To be a companion of fools means associating with or having close relationship with unbeliever, that is, anyone without Christ. Being in company of unbelievers is actually working against the Saviour.
Matthew 12:30(NLT) says; “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
How does associating with unbelievers or fools affect our journey in life?
It creates unequal yoking.
In the physical, a yoke is a rod attached to the necks of two well-matched animals (like oxen) to enable them pull or plough together. The yoke allows them to move in the same direction, at the same time, with the same pace, for the same purpose. Thus, it is absurd, foolhardy or obviously senseless, to yoke an ox and a dog together because they are incompatible and would be a drag on one another. They cannot move in the same direction, at the same time, with the same pace, for the same purpose.
In the same way, companionship between a believer and an unbeliever, results in unequal yoking whereby a believer will be compromising his/her faith and destroying his/her relationship with God. This relationship can be in marriage, business and social activities such as old students association and companionship with unbelieving school mates.
The Lord unequivocally, unambiguously, unmistakably, condemns unequal yoking between His children and unbelievers. His word is very clear on this subject.
2 Corinthians 6:14,17-18 (NLT) Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. “
Who associates with you or your children?
What is the danger of associating or being in the company of the fools/unbelievers?
Let us learn from relationships between two kings who are descendants of Abraham.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel.
Jehoshaphat was a righteous king in Judah who ruled with the fear of God after the manner of David, king of united Israel. In him, we observe a godly reformer and an upright man who served God in spite of Ahab’s wicked reign in Israel.
Jehoshaphat’s uprightness and sincerity in serving God are expressly captured and commended in the Scriptures.
2 Chronicles 17:3 (NLT) The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal.
Ahab on the other hand became an unbeliever who lived and ruled without God in Israel. Anyone without God or disobedient to words of Jesus Christ is an unbeliever.
1 Kings 21:25 (NLT) (No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the LORD’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel.
Therefore, just as divine sentence of death is passed on anyone without Jesus Christ, God passed death penalty on Ahab, and there was a day God planned to execute the judgement of death on Ahab.
1 Kings 22:20 (NLT) And the LORD said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’ “There were many suggestions,
It was therefore unimaginable for Jehoshaphat of such excellent disposition who opposed corruption in the worship of the living God to be found in companionship with ungodly Ahab. Contrary to God’s commandment, Jehoshaphat “joined affinity with Ahab”
2 Chronicles 18:1-3 (NLT) Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter.
A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead. “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle
Jehoshaphat’s alliance or association with Ahab in marriage made him to compromise his stand with God.
Brethren, as believers, how many times have you found yourself in company of unbelievers? That old school associations, village meetings, Facebook friends and followers, etcetera can make you a companion of fools.
Jehoshaphat did not reflect on the consequences of partnering with a man with divine death sentence hanging on him. He had forgotten that evil communication corrupts good manners and that one sinner destroys much good
1 Corinthians 15:33b (NLT) says “bad company corrupts good character.” And Ecclesiastes 9:18b (NLT) says “but one sinner can destroy much that is good”.
Jehoshaphat who had requested to know the mind of the Lord about the war abandoned God’s counsel. His strong tie with wicked Ahab and their royal affinity or family relationship blocked his perception and obedience to God’s word. “
1 Kings 22:29-32 (NLT) So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led .their armies against Ramoth-gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two chariot commanders: “Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with anyone else!” when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. “There is the king of Israel!” they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat called out,
COMPANIONSHIP or Association of Jehoshaphat with Ahab who had death sentence nearly cost him his life.
How many times have you disobeyed God’s word and you joined yourself with unbelievers for fun and pleasures?
There is a divine sentence of death upon anyone without Jesus Christ. Scriptures speak
John 3:36(NLT) And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
After Jehoshaphat escaped from untimely death, God sent a Prophet to him:
2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (NLT) When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?” he asked the king. “Because of what you have done, the LORD is very angry with you.
Christians in trouble cry out in prayers after disobedience to God’s word in marital, business and social relationships with unbelievers.
Jehoshaphat went headlong to the battle despite his knowledge that God was not with them as declared by a prophet, Micaiah son of Imlah in 1 Kings 22 whose prophecy was contrary and against 400 false prophets of Ahab who prophesied victory for Ahab at Ramoth-gilead.
This further shows how dangerous it is to get involved in a venture with an unbelieving fellow who has no regard for God’s word and does not operate on the principles of godliness and righteousness.
It was therefore utterly abhorrent (inconsistent) in the sight of God for Jehoshaphat, a godly king, to enter into a strange alliance with this ungodly monarch – a practice the Scripture terms unequal yoke.
Believers should be wary of companionship capable of drawing them away from the path of consistent holy living. Once a Christian joined himself/herself with unbelievers or the wicked, there is a divine death sentence over unbelievers that affects the Christian.
John 3:18-19 (NLT) “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
What Causes companionship with fools or unbelievers?
From a biblical perspective, certain factors lead believers to indulge in unequal yoking.
1️⃣ Lack of faith in God’s word to do as He has promised, like the case of Abraham in the matter of Hagar (Genesis 16:2-4).
2️⃣ Love of the world and carnality as typified by Demas (2 Timothy 4:10).
3️⃣ Getting into marriage, business or military alliance with the wrong persons. This was the case with Jehoshaphat when he had a pact with Ahab.
4️⃣ Covetousness as manifested by Judas in betraying the Lord (Matthew 26:14-16).
5️⃣ Unwise comparison with other people
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
6️⃣ Willful disobedience, as seen in Samson’s relationship with a Philistine woman
Judges 14:1-3 (NLT) One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother, “A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me.” His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.”
7️⃣ Inability to stand for the truth because of the fear of man
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.
What are the consequences of associating with fools?
Companionship with fools/unbelievers in marriage, social, business or worship is dangerous, deadly and destructive.
Its consequences include:
1️⃣ A steady weakening of one’s spiritual foundation leading to loss in fervency, commitment and consecration to the Lord (Revelation 2:4).
2️⃣ Backsliding and idolatry as was the case of Solomon (1 Kings 3:1; 11:3,7,8).
3️⃣ Spiritual dryness and blackout. Saul’s doom was sealed as a result of unequal yoke in worship (1 Samuel 28:15-19).
4️⃣ Loss in business partnership as in the case of Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah
2 Chronicles 20:35-37 (NLT) Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.
5️⃣ Danger of missing heaven on the last day.
Matthew 7:22-23 (NLT) On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws‘
Conclusion: As Christian when I was in school, among my companions are unbelievers. They proclaimed to love my kind of Christianity. In actual fact, it was a compromising one because we attended parties together with all its characteristics. When I got more closer to God, there was natural separation from unbelievers since our paths became different. When you constantly and consistently fellowship with Christ, there must be differences that will cause separation. Someone came to me and said; “I heard about your wedding but I was told you are now a chronic S.U.”(Scripture Union). I replied in affirmative and told him I have found a friend in Jesus.
Who are your friends and companions? Companion of fools usually bring trouble, disgrace and destruction.
Let’s be watchful.
🖐 Maranatha
