Micah 7:5-6 CSB “Do not rely on a friend; DON’T TRUST in a close companion. Seal your mouth from the woman who lies in your arms. ⁶ Surely a son considers his father a fool, a daughter opposes her mother, and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law; A MAN’S ENEMIES ARE THE MEN OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.”

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What a sobering truth. The truth sets one free even when it hurts. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only-begotten son…” (John 3:16) Love is an action word. Love caused God to do something. Something that did not feel good to Him or His son. But the truth (Jesus) set us free though it was painful to God and Him. (John 14:6 John 8:32) Jesus giving Himself for us on the cross set us free from God’s wrath and the power of sin and death. Again, it did not feel good but it is good. This is how we need to think when it comes to accepting the truth about friends and relatives. 

Learning the truth about loved ones can be very painful but also liberating. We are usually freed from Manipulation, Intimidation, and Domination. Did you know these components are witchcraft? Yes, Manipulation, Intimidation, and Domination bring us under a spell. We are controlled by the wrong spirits. At the right time God removes the blinders from our eyes so we can see who are associates really are. And some are literal witches, wizards, etcetera. It hurts when we find out it’s people we love who practice dark arts. It doesn’t feel good but it is good to learn the truth and be set free from such people. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) Deception is our enemy. And God doesn’t want us to be deceived:

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1 Corinthians 15:33 CSB “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 

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God says, “DO NOT BE DECEIVED.” Why would Father tell us not to be deceived right before telling us about keeping bad company? Because some of us have been bewitched, we’ve been deceived, and God doesn’t want that to happen to any of us. (Galatians 3:1) We think it’s ok to hang around evil people and they won’t affect us. That is a lie. 

What’s bad company to God? Basically, anyone who is not seeking Him. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) It doesn’t matter if it’s your mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, friend, etcetera. Some of these people we have to be around. And it’s our job to seek opportunities to share God’s message of Jesus Christ with them. (John 3:16) But being unnecessarily yoked with unbelievers will ruin us God says. So when God points out to us someone who is untrustworthy be thankful for it even when it hurts. God is protecting you and me by showing us who’s who. (1 John 2:18-19 1 Corinthians 11:19) Praise Him for it! Thank Him even when it’s someone close to us that can’t be trusted. (1 John 3:10, 15) Remember, it’s the Jesus in us they hate not us per se. (John 15:18-25)

What a privilege to be given the evil eye and mistreatment for the name of Jesus Christ.(Matthew 5:10-12) We can save ourselves a lot of trouble if we handle it God’s way. May we remember the admonition below:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT “DON’T TEAM UP WITH those who are UNBELIEVERS. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 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. 18 AND I WILL BE YOUR FATHER, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

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