Praying for our Young Men, Day 3. C is for…

Companions.

C is for Companions.

You can tell a lot by a person by the company he keeps. In fact, people will judge you by your group’s activity before they will judge you for who you are, simply because association matters. If you don’t want to be judged as the group, don’t hang out with that group.

Not only reputation, but it’s a fact that who you choose to associate with will change you. You will gradually either make compromises, or influence. But it takes a strong person to lead.

That’s why choosing companions is so vital.

Notice I didn’t even say friends.

Friends go deeper than companions, and they can influence in a strong way. True friends can be much more than just companions. The goal is to have one or two true friends, who will really know you, as you know them.

Companions can also be friends. But they may be just acquaintances with whom you share time, an activity, or travel. The key with companions is shared activities.

Basically, whoever you choose to spend time with will rub off on you, so make sure they reflect who you want to be.

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It is sad thing for a young person with strong morals to sink down to degraded morals because they associate with companions who don’t share his values.

Also key is to remember that now is not forever. Those guys who look cool because they are a bit rebellious may seem to have more freedoms. But down the road, many times we see that the supposed freedoms aren’t so wonderful if they include immoral choices, poor health decisions, crime, or even simply not taking life seriously. Do you really want to sacrifice your future to fit in for the moment? Yet keeping companions opposing values sometimes means just that.

You are going to be what you choose to make yourself, with God’s help. Others can’t choose for you, and even your parents can’t make those decisions. Make it easier for yourself by associating with people that want similar things as you.

I have included some quotes from various sources that I found inspirational.

“Always dare to be in the company of those stronger than you. Sooner or later, you will be stronger than those who were once stronger than you, but unfortunately, they joined the company of those who are weaker than them!” – Israelmore Ayivor

www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=83230#83230

“An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.” – E.A. Bucchianeri
www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=83242#83242

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20, ESV

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother

Proverbs 18:25, ESV

“A companion that feasts the company with wit and mirth, and leaves out the sin which is usually mixed with them, he is the man; and let me tell you, good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue.” Izaak Walton. http://www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=83241#83241

“Never make a companion equal to a brother.” – Hesiod
http://www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=83251#83251

“Choose a companion that recommends himself to you by his life as well as by his speech. ” – Roman Proverb
http://www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=189961#189961

“A man is known by his companions. ” – Latin Proverb
http://www.wisesayings.com/companion-quotes/?sm=189962#189962

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