“When You Dance With The Devil, The Devil Doesn’t Change. The Devil Changes You.” Watch The Company You Keep Because It’s Your Insiders That’s Giving Your Status Updates To The Outsiders. Anytime You Take Someone With You That God Hasn’t Authorized It Tampers With Your Destiny. Some People Are Attached To You And Others Are Assigned To You. Know The Difference. Do Not be misled, bad company corrupts good character. Some religious people are simply good actors! And so are some of your so-called ‘friendships/associates/companions.’ “The biggest mistake some of us make in life is letting people stay in their life far longer than they deserve to.” " the saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.” “Bad friends will prevent you from having good friends.”
As much as people refuse to believe it, the company you keep does have an impact and influence on your choices. “When you hang out in the wrong place with the wrong people, you will soon do the wrong things. Be careful of the company you keep; some people are just around to try and steal your joy.
Matthew 26:14-15, “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, went to the chief priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to get Jesus into your hands?” And THEY GAVE HIM thirty silver coins.” (TLB);
Matthew 27:4, “Judas said, ‘I have sinned. I handed over to you an innocent man to be killed. The Jewish leaders answered, “WE DON’T CARE! THAT’S A PROBLEM FOR YOU, NOT US” (ERV)
They were quick to accept Judas’ offer, don’t you think? No questions, no negotiations, no hesitations. Immediately, they “…gave him thirty silver coins”. Now, I don’t want you to read “religious leaders” and assume they were living right! Listen to Matthew 26:14-15 in the Message Bible, “That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the CABAL of high priests…” (MSG). The word “cabal” is defined as “a small group of people who work together secretly; those who plot to overthrow the government; a small group of plotters; a clique, a group who plots and schemes; them that conspire; a theatrical circle; a secret political clique or faction” It was these that “…gave him thirty silver coins” (Make Sure This Isn’t Descriptive of Your Clique and Companions) You have people running around with a mouth full of scripture and a heart full of hate.
Anytime you take someone with you that God hasn’t authorized it tampers with your destiny. Some people are attached to you and others are assigned to you. Know the difference. Oprah Winfrey said lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is a friend who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
For God watches how people live, He sees everything they do. And then we go to chapter 27 after the deed has been done. Notice what happens to these same easy-come friends/associates/companions, who quickly and willingly joined Judas in Chapter 26, but sing a whole different tune in 27:3-5, the Bible reads: “Judas, the one who had given Jesus to his enemies, saw that they had decided to kill Jesus. Then he was very sorry for what he had done. So, he took the thirty silver coins back to the priests and the leaders, saying, ‘I sinned; I handed over to you an innocent man.’ The leaders answered, ‘WHAT IS THAT TO US? THAT’S YOUR PROBLEM, NOT OURS.” So, Judas threw the money into the Temple. Then he went off and hanged himself.” (NCV).
Do you see the reaction of Judas’ sinful “allies”? They immediately accepted him when he wanted to do sinful things with them. No questions, no negotiations, no hesitations. They immediately joined forces with Judas to do wrong! And I’m sure he felt all warm and accepted (as many of us do when we want to do something – be it right or wrong – and yet, we have company with us!) Not to mention this was profitable for him. Mark 14:10-11, “Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the cabal of high priests, determined to betray him. They couldn’t believe their ears AND PROMISED TO PAY HIM WELL. He started looking for just the right moment to hand him over.” (MSG)
But notice the ending of the story. When he didn’t play by their rules anymore, they said, “…that’s your problem, that’s your business, that’s your own thing, none of this has anything to do with us”. But when he went to them with the plan, they immediately joined the plot with a payment. However, now Judas is sorry and wants to back out of the deal.
When he wanted to do wrong, it’s amazing how quickly they didn’t mind joining and funding him! But when he wants to do right, THESE SAME MEN TURNED THEIR BACKS ON HIM! But isn’t that just how it is with sinful friends/associates/companions? They’re easy come-easy go! No alliance, no allegiance, no covenant, no commitment, no pact, no agreement, no ‘I got your back’. They simply walked away!
Interesting that they say it’s “…none of our business…” yet they funded Judas project. They said “…that’s YOUR OWN thing…that’s YOUR problem…” but the Scripture says, “…and THEY gave him…”
People of God (especially to our young people), please be aware, that the easiest crowd to be accepted anywhere is the crowd that’s doing wrong…together. They’ll take you in right away! They will accept you, help you; fund you; but in the end, they will desert you! And much like Judas leaves you HANGING! Matthew 27:5, “He threw the money down in the house of God and went outside. Then he went away and killed himself by HANGING from a rope.” (NLV)
Those That Initially Helped Him, in the End, Left Him Hanging! And do you think for one moment that they felt at least the bare minimum of remorse? Not! Read what the “Religious Leaders” did next:
Matthew 27:6-10, “The high priests picked up the silver pieces, but then didn’t know what to do with them. “It wouldn’t be right to give this—a payment for murder! —as an offering in the Temple.” They decided to get rid of it by buying the “Potter’s Field” and using it as a burial place for the homeless. That’s how the field got called “Murder Meadow,” a name that has stuck to this day. Then Jeremiah’s words became history: They took the thirty silver pieces, the price of the one priced by some sons of Israel, and they purchased the potter’s field. And so, they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.” (MSG)
The “Religious Leaders” who were okay with doing wrong, and even paying a price for it, now don’t want to use the same “blood money” to give as an offering in the house of God (especially with them being so “religious” and all). Sidebar: You know I find it funny that when they were outside the temple (church), they had no problems being completely carnal with Judas. However, once the “religious leaders” got back inside the temple (church), back into their respective places and positions, they were so “religious” that they didn’t want to offend God with a bloody offering. In a nutshell: They had no problem outside the walls of the church being in sin, but as soon as they put on all their religious leadership regalia, and got back into the pulpit, before the people, in their designated chairs, piously positioned to lead, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY CAN’T DO WRONG! They mastered, like many, how to perform on cue! And so, they decide to do something “good”. They decide to buy a field and make it a burial site for the homeless. But by no means should you think they were carrying out a “good deed”; they were simply doing what they did best, appear “religious”. This reminds us of 2 Timothy 3:5, “holding to a form of [outward] godliness (RELIGION), although they have denied its power [FOR THEIR CONDUCT NULLIFIES THEIR CLAIM OF FAITH].
Avoid such people and keep far away from them.” (AMP) They weren’t religious, they were simply good actors! And so are some of your so-called ‘friendships/associates/companions.’
People of God (especially my young people), maybe you’ve drifted into some friendships yourself that are dragging you down right now because they were easy to get into. After all, who doesn’t want to belong to those who take you as you are? See, people won’t say “yes” to Christ many times because they’re afraid of losing those kinds of friends. But if you want to see how committed they are to you, go against what they’re doing. Stop doing the wrong things with them. I think you’ll find if you say to them, “I care about you, but I can’t do what we’ve been doing together anymore” you’ll see how fast you’re “out” with the crowd who took you “in” so quickly! The truth hurts, but the truth is they didn’t care for you in the first place; they cared about having someone else to sin with. You thought you were going to lose some friends, and you found out they weren’t “friends” to lose in the first place.
See, rebellion often requires company! The crowds that don’t like Jesus, want more people with them. They feel better the more people are siding with them and doing what they do. But don’t trust them and don’t turn your back on them because they’re a fickle bunch. And all that may be tying you together with those friends right now is sort of a sin pact (like Judas had with the “religious leaders”)
Did you notice they didn’t come to him; he went to them? They didn’t think 2 cents about him until he had a 30-piece project that was worth their involvement and investment. And the lesson for us: It’s a mistake to choose easy come, easy go friendships/associates/companions over the Savior who will never turn His back on you even when you’re rebelling against Him. Can you imagine what Jesus must have felt like? Being so faithful, consistent, providing, loving, and covering, to Judas, His friend. And yet, His friend Judas was none of those things in return. However, Judas was no different than the crowd Jesus found Himself in. The crowd, like Judas, was fickle. Do you know what the word “fickle” means? Let me define it for you, “to be changeable; especially as regards one’s loyalties.” Its Old English Origin means “deceitful”. In other words, like the “religious leaders”, they’re with you in the beginning, they’re all for it. Until things change, and so does their loyalty!
With Judas, they said, “…that’s your problem, that’s your business, that’s your own thing, none of this has anything to do with us” But in the beginning, it says, “…AND THEY GAVE HIM….”
Isn’t it amazing how quickly you’re “In” crowd puts you “Out”! Remember 1 Corinthians 15:33: “…don’t fool yourselves… “Bad company ruins good manners.” (MSG).
Maybe these types of friends have become the major deciding factor in your choices, whether they’re at work, at school, or dare we even be honest enough to say at church also. Whether they’re people that you’ve connected with on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, and the like. But they’ve become a major deciding factor in what you do or don’t do. Well, as the above Scripture says, “Do not be misled…” And “misled” is defined as “to give the wrong impression to”. And we know for certain that currently, everyone is trying to impress everyone! However, don’t be misled. Pay close attention to what they say, what they mean, where they go, what they do, and who they’re around. Listen to their words, and watch their actions, motives, and intentions closely. They will reveal to you all you need to hear, see, and know if you will simply pay attention to who they are, not who they’re showing you to impress you. Don’t let bad company trap you. They will ensnare you and destroy your life. Be independent. Don’t follow the fickle crowd!
Judas had those who joined him in the beginning and yet deserted him in the end. Make sure these are not the type of friends, alliances, associates, and companions that you’ve connected yourself to. You see, we often talk about Judas (and the truth is, he did very well betray his friend Jesus). However, Judas didn’t act alone. The “religious leaders” joined in to help him out.
Let me give you this little piece of advice that I’ve really come to understand, grasp, and live by. Real friends are often NOT the ones who cover you, but the ones who carefully expose you. In other words, you will grow more from the friendships that don’t let you get away with doing wrong than you ever did from the ones who covered up your wrongdoing. Those who had no problems telling you, to your face, you’re wrong; don’t do that; don’t go there; apologize; change; do better, etc. Those are real friends. They don’t help you justify your wrong, your sin, your attitude, or your conduct and behavior. They call you on the carpet. And yes, it hurts, and yes, it’s tough to be told you need to do better. But I can say today I wouldn’t trade those friendships/associates/companions for anything or anyone else in the world.
Learn to separate yourself from the “in crowd”. Because it’s better to be on the “out” with people than “outside” the Will of God for your life. Real friends don’t tell you it’s “an issue, a struggle, a difficulty, a stronghold” …no they call it what it is, SIN! If you have friends like this, today show your appreciation to them. If you don’t have friends like this, re-examine the company you keep and make unapologetic changes. Those who mean you well, won’t even start with you in sin. From the very beginning, they’ll tell you NO! These are goldmines, treasure them! They can save your life, so hang on to them, or end up left hanging. like Judas!
Listen, why don’t you cultivate friendships where Christ is the glue, not where sin is the glue? Be smarter than Judas. Don’t pin your hopes on people who will permanently let you down as quickly as they temporarily lift you!
Don’t let people with no CHARACTER fool you with their PERFORMANCE! Judas Didn’t Act Alone, He Had the Help of a “Religious Company”. Examine the Areas in Your Life Where You’re Doing Wrong and See Who’s There Lending You a Helping Hand…Then Decide Today to LET THAT HAND GO!
Remember: Judas Didn’t Act Alone, but in the End, He Was Left Alone! Today, Re-examine the Company You Keep, hang on to Those Who Help, and Release Those Who Hurt! Seek Godly Leaders, Not Religious Leeches!
J.P. Olson
www.journeyintotheword.com
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