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 Amnon and Jonadab
This is a story of negative friendship. It is important to note that every relationship is either adding value to you or bringing you down.
The story of these two friends can be found in II Samuel, Chapter 13.
Amnon – full of lust for his sister became visibly sick and thin. His friend, Jonadab after confirming the reason for his sickness helped him to hatch a plan that led to Amnon raping his sister, Tamar.
How many men today are sexually molesting their young wards and even their own daughters? What if Amnon's friend had given him Godly counsel? Be careful of those you call friends. Jonadab was obviously a friend who Amnon could confide in. Although the temptation to sin was still a thought in Amnon's head, Jonadab helped to put voice to it and even helped him to plan the evil deed. The Bible says ‘He who walks with wise men will be wise but a companion of fools will be destroyed' The Bible also differentiates between Godly and worldly wisdom. The wisdom exhibited by Jonadab in helping his friend is the latter and is described in the book of James as ‘earthly, sensual and demonic'.
Ironically, when Amnon was killed as an act of revenge by Tamar's brother, it was none other than Jonadab, ‘his friend' who announced his death. The devil will entice us and say: ‘do it; no one will know'. But I want you to believe that “all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”.
What sort of friend are you? Who are your friends? Remember, do not be deceived, no matter how good you may be, evil communication corrupts good habits. Take stock of your relationships and separate yourself from every negative influence that will lead to your downfall. Any counsel outside of the ‘WORD' is demonic and will eventually lead to ruin.
Also, in reading this story, I have often wondered where the mother of Tamar was while all this was happening. Mothers - please be sensitive and alert! While our teenagers seem to think they know it all, it is still our responsibility to monitor where and to whom they go. Being prayerful is the key as even the seemingly good or ‘okay' places could have danger lurking.
Are you having lustful thoughts like Amnon? Seek help but ensure that you avoid every ‘Jonadabic trap'. Any sin we handle with levity will ultimately send us to some kind of grave. Deal with it before it deals with you!
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