The Influence of A Friend: Amnon Had A Friend

Amnon Had A Friend

2 Samuel 13:1-6

Introduction

Let me just give you a little bit of what had happened in the two previous chapters before this one. 
a. chapter 11, David slept with Bathsheba, murdered Uriah, and marry his wife.
b. chapter 12, God sent the prophet Nathan to David, rebuked him for his foolishness, confessed his sins, the child was struck with sickness, and he eventually died according to the word of the Lord in verse 14., and also the birth of Solomon.
c. Now we are in chapter 13, we will consider the story of Amnon, a man with uncontrolled appetite, alongside his sinful friend.

I titled my message this morning, “Amnon had a friend”, and I really want to focus on the influence of friends in the lives of a person. Sometimes, we might not understand how powerful the influence of a friend can be, but this morning, I hope you will go back home with a new perspective on the kind of friends you should have around you.

What kind of friend did Amnon have? Amnon had a friend that changed his decision, and destination.

How Christians Ought to Walk

1. Amnon had a friend that Glory in Sinfulness

verse 3

You should think that Jonadab would be a spiritual man, he was closer to King David’s family, but that is not the case, but a sinful man in the heart. That is the case of many Christians, just because you have wonderful Christian parents does not mean that you would turn right if you are not willing to make a commitment to do right. And also, just because you are surrounded by Christians does not mean that you would turn right for the Lord either.

Let me say this to you, believers, it is important to separate yourself from brothers or sisters that glory in sinfulness.
The description given to Jonadad wasn’t a good one, it was the same word used for Satan in the book of Genesis chapter 3

To be subtle is to be wise, intelligent, cunning

How is that sinful? Whenever you use your intelligence and cunning attitude to bring down your fellow humans, it is extremely sinful in the sight.
And this is the case of Jonadab, Amnon’s friend. 
James 3:13-15  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 
Who are your friends? Are they friends that glory in sinfulness? Are they friends that glory in cheating, fornicating, beating their wives, committing extra-marital affairs?

As for Me and My House- Joshua Declaration

2. Amnon Had a Friend that Gave a Wrong Advice.

vs 5

The Bible teaches us to get counsel, and here are the verses that talk about getting counsel, and it is important to understand that I am not against counsel, but you need to get the right ones.
Proverbs 1:5  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Jonadab gave the wrong counsel to a man that is already weak in the mind, and when you give wrong advice to a man that is ready to do anything, then you will make it easier for him to commit himself to evil doing instead of good deeds.
Who is advising you? Who is giving you counsel? Are they spiritual people? Jonadab could have given him good advice to safeguard this man from committing this atrocity against his own sister, but instead, he helped him feed his lust. He helped him disobey God’s Holy command.
Beloved, you don’t need a friend that will assist you in feeding your lust, but you need a friend that will help you fight it. There is much evil in the world already, but you need someone that will talk sense into the brain.
Many people have had their homes destroyed because of bad friends with wrong advice. Many young people have gone the wrong path because of bad advice given to them. You would not go far in life if you are surrounded by friends who give you wrong advice.
How do I need the advice is bad? My next question to you is this, what does it make you do? After listening to the advice, do you right or wrong? Do you live for the Lord or the devil?

Vow, Oath, Swear and Pledge

3. Amnon Had a Friend that Ghost into the Air

What do you mean? Jonadab was never around when Amnon was reaping what he sowed. He was never there when his sin comes back home to him.
Those friends that are not helping you serve the Lord, encouraging you in an evil matter, and discouraging you in doing right will not always be there with you.

They will not be there when police officers arrest you and jail you. They will not be there when you are suffering the consequences of your sin.
I have seen people who have listened to friends, and then they realized that they have led astray, they always returned back home to their family, and church that they have forsaken.  When people have destroyed their lives, they are looking for someone else to destroy them. 

The people that helped you destroy your life will also make a mockery of you. Jonadab came back again after Amnon had been killed in the hands of Absalom. 

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2 Samuel 13:32  And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 
You said in your heart, they will not make me do things that I do not want to do. They want my best interest at heart. But do you check if those things align with the word of God? 
There is a law in the Bible against incest, and that sleeping with your brother or sister, is forbidden, and that is exactly what Jonadab advised Amnon to do.
You may not be advised to be sleeping with your sister or brother. Maybe you are told that there is nothing wrong with beating a woman, committing adultery, and womanizing around with different women, but let me say this to you, God is against you. 

And your sin will find you out someday.

Conclusion.

What kind of friends do you have? Do you have Christ as your friend?
John 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.My friend, the best friend you can have is Christ, and he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.