Bittersweet Farm

The Principle of Imitation:

 

You will tend to become like whoever you train yourself to admire

 

Who do you want to be like?  

 

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 

 

“He who walks with wise men will be wise…”

 

·      
Galatians 4:19
 My
little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you

·      
Luke 6:40 “A disciple is not above his teacher,
but everyone who is perfectly trained
will be like his teacher.

·      
1 Corinthians 4:16  Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

·      
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

·      
Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in
me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

·      
1 Thessalonians 1:6  And you became followers of us
and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the
Holy Spirit,

·      
2 Thessalonians 3:9   not because we do not have
authority, but to make ourselves an
example of how you should follow us.

·      
1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained
mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ
might show all longsuffering, as a
pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

·      
1 Timothy 4:12  Let no
one despise your youth, but be an
example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,
in purity.

·      
Hebrews 13:7  Remember
those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the
outcome of their conduct.

·      
1 Peter 5:3  nor as
being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

·      
Acts 20:28-38  This is why older, godly Christians are so important
in a Christian fellowship.

 

 

 

Here is how the process works: 

 

1.  the behavior is modeled

2.  the behavior is imitated

3.  I accept
by faith that the behavior is God’s
will

4.  I trust the enabling power of the Holy Spirit

5.  I repeat
the behavior

6.  I continue over a prolonged period of time

7.  I am among brothers and sisters who support the behavior

8.  Over a period of time it becomes the behavior I deeply desire.  (affections)

 

 

 

 

 

 

“…A companion
of fools will be destroyed.”

 

·      
Proverbs 12:26
 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them
astray.

 

·      
Proverbs 22:24  Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go

 

·      
1 Corinthians 5:11  But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a
brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or
a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

 

·      
1 Corinthians 15:33  Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

You don’t
need many friends.

What kind of
friends do you need?

 

1. 
You need friends who fear God and obey Him.    Psalm 119:63  I am a companion of all who fear You, And of
those who keep Your precepts.

 

2. You need friends who refresh you in
the things of the Lord.    2 Timothy 1:16  The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,
for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

 

3. 
You need friends who will stimulate you to love and good works.    Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider one another in order to
stir up love and good works…