Holiness: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 [Annotated, Updated]

by J.C. Ryle

Another thing that is essential to growth in grace is caution about the company we keep and the friendships we form. Perhaps nothing affects someone’s character more than the company he keeps. We are influenced by the ways and tone of those with whom we live and talk, and, sadly, we get harm far more easily than good. Disease is infectious, but health is not. If a professing Christian deliberately chooses to be closely acquainted with those who are not friends of God and who cling to the world, his soul is certain to be harmed. It is hard enough to serve Christ under any circumstances in such a world as this, but it is twice as hard to do so if we are friends of the thoughtless and ungodly. Mistakes in friendship or marriage engagements are the whole reason why some have entirely ceased to grow. Evil companions corrupt good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). The friendship of the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Let us seek friends who will motivate us to pray, read the Bible, and use our time wisely. Let us seek friends who are concerned about our souls, our salvation, and a world to come. Who can tell the good that a friend’s word in season may do or the harm that it can stop? This is one way to grow.[2]