You Can’t Take Everyone

Growing up, did you have that one friend who was with you throughout elementary school, but when middle school came, they disappeared and got a new friend group? Or maybe it happened to you between middle school and high school? Sometimes people grow apart... sometimes people choose to be apart.

The key truth from this message is - when the Lord calls you into a new season or calls you to step into something new, you can’t take everyone with you. 

Why Can’t I Take Everyone With Me?

1. Your resources are limited - (Gen 13:6)

- In verse 6, we can see that the land could not nourish or support all of Abram’s and Lot’s men. There were not enough resources for them to share. What is the one resource we all share? 

- Time: Time is one of the most valuable resources in your life. The more people you take with you (in your close circle), the more time and attention you naturally give to each of them. Prioritizing friendships over your relationship with Jesus will eventually leave you starving and empty. However, the more time we spend with the Lord, the more He fills us up. 

- The other resources to consider are spiritual resources; these become depleted, such as prayer and devotion. How much time can you spend with God if you are so consumed with the ‘friends’ you’ve taken along?

2. You will cultivate strife and conflict - (Gen 13:7)

- The lack of resources in the land caused conflict between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen. The more people you try to take into your journey or walk, the more likely conflict and strife will arise. 

- There are many reasons that trying to take a large number of people with you could cause conflict such as: Conflicting visions, Superficial (fake) intentions, Lack of depth or understanding, Desire to please everyone...

Who Shouldn’t I Take With Me?

- The Bible is very clear that choosing the wrong friends in your circle can lead you to ruin. (Prov. 13:20). There are three types of people that you should be careful with when choosing friends.

1. People who make decisions based ONLY on what they SEE.

- Genesis 13:10 shows us that Lot was given the first choice of the land. He did what humans naturally do - he chose the land that looked better. He chose Sodom and Gomorrah, which we know now were wicked cities. We need to be careful of friends that encourage us to make decisions based on what they see or what makes sense to them because they are often operating in direct opposition to faith. 

- "For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 1 Cor. 5:7

- Just because something looks good now doesn’t mean it’s beneficial for you later. When making decisions by sight and not by faith, one of the following will most likely happen:

-You will be provoked to enter into something too quickly

-You will be afraid to step into something new because it looks intimidating, even though you were meant to step into it.

2. People who make decisions based ONLY on what they HEAR.

- Often times, these friends are extremely dangerous because they will try to influence your decisions based on rumors, perceptions, or false information. These types of friends are manipulators; they will twist information to influence your decisions. The Bible is very clear on people who spread gossip and rumors. 

- “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” - Proverbs 16:28

3. People who don’t use wisdom.

- In these verses, Abram immediately recognized that Lot and he should separate ways to avoid strife and resource limitations. He talked to God correctly and made his decision with wisdom. Again, the Bible reminds us of the dangers of choosing friends that make foolish decisions. While finding these friendships, we must make sure that we are equally yoked (united in faith).

Who Should I Take With Me?

When choosing a close friend, it is important to choose someone who is in love with Jesus and follows Him wholeheartedly. That should be your primary standard. Make sure to align yourself with people who:

- Pray about decisions before they make them. Notice that Abram’s first action before entering the unknown land was to return to the altar in Bethel. He sought the Lord first before making a decision on his own.

- Seek the Lord for counsel and give you advice that you need to hear.

- Support you as you step into what God has called you to.

- Aren’t hasty to make major decisions.

- Discern what is of God and what is not.