The Danger of Sinful Friends: What Can I Do?

A Tennessee judge was so addicted to prescription drugs during his final two years on the bench that he was having sex and buying pills during courtroom breaks, at times purchasing them from convicts he had previously sentenced.

Many people didn't realize Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner had a problem until he stepped down from the bench and pleaded guilty in March 2011 to a single count of official misconduct. It would be another eight months before the seriousness of the judge's problem was revealed, casting uncertainty about whether he was sober enough to be sitting on the bench.

Baumgartner, a criminal court judge in Knoxville since 1992, got addicted to painkillers he was prescribed for pancreatitis caused by chronic alcoholism, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation file.

One of his suppliers was Deena Castleman, who graduated from Baumgartner's drug court. She told authorities that she regularly supplied the married judge with pills and sex, sometimes during breaks from court. -Star Tribune, April 4, 2012, Sheila Burke

There are all kinds of sinful conduct. Using the above illustration as a stepping stone to discuss sinful conduct, let's talk about the the danger of evil companions. First of all, they persuade through enticement. Like the serpent tempted Eve, sinful friends will appeal to:

a. The lust of the flesh ("good for food")
b. The lust of the eyes ("pleasant to the eyes")
c. The pride of life ("desirable to make one wise") - cf. Genesis 3:6

Secondly, evil friends will offer easy gain:

a. Such as wealth without work
b. Such as pleasure without commitment
c. Such as companionship without cost

It sounds so good and easy, doesn’t it? However, you will discover that they ignore the cost of sin. They ignore the fact that sin destroys those who possess it. So called "friends" will eventually turn on one another. If they will sin with you, how do you know they won’t sin against you? They will be friends only as long as it benefits themselves!

Sin eventually exposes those who continue in it. The Bible says, "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). Sin requires lies and deception; eventually one gets caught in their web of lies. In fact, sin often carries a physical price that cannot be hidden, such as: addiction (drugs); disease (STDs); unwanted pregnancy. Evil companions never talk about the cost of sin, do they?

Lastly, let's examine the solution to evil companions. First, don't listen to them! "Do not consent..." - Proverbs 1:10. What they promise they cannot really deliver, at least for long. The truly blessed man does not walk in their counsel (Psalm 1:1). Be wise enough not to obey their enticing words!

Next, simply stay away from them! "Do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path" (Proverbs 1:15). Do not let them be your companions (Proverbs 13:20), especially if they are unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). I suggest that you be even wiser to avoid letting them become your companions!

In conclusion, this is not to say that we cannot try to save them. We must be separate from the world, but we cannot isolate ourselves (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Even Jesus was a friend to sinners (Matthew 11:19)!

But ultimately we must be honest with ourselves. Do we influence them more than they do to us? If not, then we should stay away until we are strong enough to be a positive influence. To be wise, we must know who to listen to (God, parents, and good friends), and who not to listen to (anyone who would entice us to do evil)...

Prayer:

Dear God, The little plans I tried to carry through Have failed. I will not sorrow. I'll pause a little while, dear God, and try, again, tomorrow. Amen

May God bless you,

Mackenzie