“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20).
Who you listen to will greatly determine what you believe. The Bible says that if you associate with fools, it will lead to destruction. This is a principle that many try to ignore in order to justify the sin in their life.
Once I had a man tell me of all the great witnessing he had been doing with some of his friends. He gave a glowing and glorious report of how openly the Word of truth was received by his friends.
“Of course,” he said, “the only way I could get them to listen was to smoke pot and drink a little with them.” I wondered if the friends were really so high on the Word or if they were just “high.” I also wondered how he could tell.
It is possible that some of the Word may have sunk in, but the truth is, God’s Word can get you “high” without drugs or alcohol. You don’t have to become like the world in order to witness to the world. Yes, we must go into the dark places to witness and to take the light of the gospel to a dark world. However, we don’t live there and take on their characteristics.
Years ago, a man told me he felt he was being called to witness to the strippers at a local club. He indicated that his plan was to go to the club on a regular basis and befriend the women who worked there.
I suspect he was probably planning on having a “laying on of hands” service. I told him that he could witness to these ladies, but that he should have his wife with him and that it would be best if he witnessed to them at places other than the nightclub. After all, these women go to the grocery store, the laundromat and other places just like everyone else does.
If God has called you to witness in a place where sin is openly practiced, then you had better be 100% positive that it’s God calling you. With the anointing of God on your life, you can do anything He’s called you to do. But without His calling and anointing, you will be operating in the flesh and the flesh will win. You are not the exception to God’s Word.
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20).
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.