Some good thoughts here; the emphasized part is from me.

Prov 22:24-25 “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

There are many principles and warnings concerned who we choose to be our close friends. The major reason is the great influence of close friends. It is our nature to seek to please those we consider our friends. It is also natural to trust our friends, accept their thoughts and actions and adapt those traits we consider as good.

If we know that a person is vile, wicked or corrupt we know that we should not become a close friend with them. The warning here is the same concerning close friendship with a person that is easily agitated or quick to anger.

The danger is that we will become like those with whom we associate. Sadly the nature of man is toward the more bash and corrupt nature of the flesh. The same is true with emotions and fleshly desires. If we run with the impatient we become impatient. If we associate with those with a negative and hateful attitude we become like them. If we walk with those who are soon angry and quick to speak harshly and loudly of their displeasure, we begin to act the same.

May God help us to understand the truths of His principles and laws concerning man’s sin corrupted nature. May God give us the Grace, Wisdom and Strength to fight against the natural tendency to move toward the flesh and world. May God help us to carefully chose our close friends, knowing they will influence us in every way.

HT: Biblical Evangelical Methodist Thought for Friday, Nov 14, 2011