Unholy Friendships and Improper Bonds

We should all be careful who we trust!

One of the things I remind the men when we are in attendance at the ManDate gatherings is, “be careful of the alliances you make. GOD does not want us making them.” Actually, He warned Israel about doing that; and as faith and obedience walkers of the same Commands, this applies to us as well.

“Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice…” Exodus 34:15 

“Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst” Exodus 34:12 

“You shall make no covenant with them and their gods” Exodus 23:32 

 “…and when ADONAI, your ELOHIM gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them” Deuteronomy 7:2 

There is a reason for GOD not wanting His people to ‘link up’ with someone that does not live and walk in the same manner He has shown and instructed them. Even men who may look like you and may even act like you are not always the people you want to walk with you.

Some lessons hurt to learn!

While friendships are usually informal and based on unwritten mutual understanding and affection, alliances are formalized through treaties, agreements, or contracts that specify the terms of the cooperation. This formal nature ensures that each party's obligations and benefits are clearly defined.

Be aware of the following truths:

1. Not everyone is your friend

2. Some people are fake

3. People love gossip

4. Some people seek to take advantage of others

5. Not all friendships last forever

6. People change

“Be careful and aware of who you are getting in bed with.” I am confident that is something you have heard of before seeing it here.

The process of making treaties involves negotiations, drafting, signing, and ratification, all of which have legal consequences for the parties. Understanding the treaty-making process helps in interpreting international agreements and resolving disputes that may arise from them.

• Some treaties are made for protection.

• Some treaties are made for peace.

• Some treaties are made for power and control.

We men should only home for relationships the resemble the one David and Jonathan had.

1 Samuel 23:14-18 (David was in the run from Johnathan’s father, the king)

David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph, and Saul sought him every day, but GOD did not deliver him into his hand. Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in GOD.  Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.

 Jonathan and David's friendship was different than most. It was formed out of a love for ELOHIM’s kingdom first, which knit their souls together.

The Biblical storyline consistently warns against alliances that lead to spiritual compromise, urging believers to seek relationships that honor ADONAI and advance His purposes. Here and understand this… Believers today, are to uphold the same Biblical principles surrounding associations, coalitions, unions and relationships. They are encouraged to seek discernment with great intentionality.

LEGAL stuff for added clarity: Treaties are written agreements between sovereign states or between states and international organizations, governed by international law. In the US, the President is the primary negotiator of treaties, which are then ratified by the Senate. Treaties are incorporated into the body of US federal law in the same way as a legislative act. Think Bible here.

A treaty of friendship, also known as a friendship treaty, is a common generic name for any treaty establishing close ties between countries. Friendship treaties have been used for agreements about the use and development of resources, etc. While not common, there are some treaties agreeing to some forms of military alliance.  

The US enters into more than 200 treaties and other international agreements each year, covering a wide range of subjects, including peace, trade, defense, territorial boundaries, human rights, law enforcement, and environmental matters.

The President has the sole power to negotiate the terms of a treaty, and this power is not shared with the Senate. Once the treaty negotiations are complete, the President or another official from the Executive Branch signs the draft. At this stage, the treaty is not yet binding, as it requires the approval of the Senate.

The President then submits the treaty to the Senate for their advice and consent. The Senate can choose to consent unconditionally, refuse consent, or stipulate conditions, such as amendments or reservations.

You may want to splash some water on your face after that.

The next several statements are not meant to be “just reminders”, but I am happy to have found them.

1. Be careful who you trust. The devil was once an angel.

2. Be careful who you trust and tell your problems to. Not everyone who smiles at you is your friend.

3. Be careful who you tell your feelings to, because some people are waiting for the opportunity to use them against you.

4. Be careful who you trust. Salt and sugar look the same.

5. Be careful who you open up to. Only a few people actually care, the rest just want to have something to gossip about.

6. The world is full of monsters with friendly faces and angels full of scars.

7. Be careful who you trust. If someone will discuss others with you, they will certainly discuss you with others.

8. Be careful who you trust. Some will try to convince you they are loyal to you. But they are not loyal to you, they are loyal to the need of you. Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.

9. Just because someone likes you doesn’t mean they love you. Be careful who you trust with your heart.

10. Be careful who you give your heart to. You can’t trust what someone tells you just because it sounds good.

11. Be careful who you trust. People you know can hurt you the most.

12. Watch who you trust. Even YOUR teeth bite YOUR tongue every now and then.

13. Be careful who you trust--even people who call themselves friends.

14. Life has taught me that you can’t control someone’s loyalty. No matter how good you are to them, doesn’t mean that they will treat you the same. No matter how much they mean to you, doesn’t mean that they’ll value you the same. Sometimes the people you love the most turn out to be the people you can trust the least.

15. Be careful who you vent to. A listening ear can also be a running mouth.

16. Be careful who you trust; some people are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

17. Be careful who you trust with your story. Not everyone can give you the kind of help you need.

To be clear, alliances are not treaties. An alliance is a broader concept referring to a common relationship between entities pursuing common goals, while a treaty is a specific type of formal agreement that creates legally binding obligations between states or international organizations.

Have you ever heard of “Soul Ties”? People can use the term in some oddly weir ways, but I will try to weave the meaning into this context.

Soul ties refer to “a deep spiritual or emotional connection shared between two people, often seen in relationships with romantic partners, family members, or close friends. These ties can be uplifting and meaningful, fostering a sense of connection, or they can be toxic and damaging to one's emotional well-being. Essentially, a soul tie is a spiritual link that binds individuals together physically, mentally, and spiritually, influencing their thoughts and emotions. There are various types of soul ties that can form through different relationships and interactions.” 

I will say this again, “While friendships are usually informal and based on unwritten mutual understanding and affection, alliances are formalized through treaties, agreements, or contracts that specify the terms of the cooperation. This formal nature ensures that each party's obligations and benefits are clearly defined.

“Whisper your secrets to the universe, but guard your bed like a fortress, for the energy exchanged between tangled sheets can reshape your destiny.” That statement can easily be lost on someone with only one focus.  However, it sums up the core of intimate relationships.”

You can’t trust everyone! However, you have to be able to trust someone. Choose well. Be careful who you trust. It’s a universal piece of advice that works for everyone, regardless of the age or personality type.

Some people just pretend to be your friends, others are simply looking for gossip. That’s why it’s better to be picky about those you confide in, especially when it comes to sharing your personal secrets.

I do have a David, and I have a Jonathan. The cool thing is, I also have a few close brothers too.

The Sovereign LORD will give you all He wants in your world. Don’t go looking and say, “you must be it.” Seek Him and He will bring that group of folks to you. 

They simply appear on the horizon!