And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
2 Samuel 13:2-5
Lord, help me to keep watch over who I surround myself with and call friend. Indeed, there are those whom I am prone to draw close to me, believing that they make me better, but who instead feed my tendency towards sin. Though I may think that I could possibly have a good influence on them, I realize that it is just as likely that they will have a negative influence on me. Help me to guard my heart and to wisely choose whom I keep in my company. I ask that You would give me the wisdom today to surround myself with those who will risk my friendship to tell me what I need to hear versus tell me what I want to hear. I need people in my life who love my soul and want to see me grow not only in relationship with them and others, but with You. Raise up people who are committed to leading me closer to You rather than feed my sinful desires. Give them a love for me that is not satisfied with me holding on to evil, but are willing to hold me accountable before themselves and You, wanting the best for me. Give them the words to say to me that point me back to You. But, Lord, more importantly, help me to be that person for someone else for iron indeed sharpens iron. Use me to help someone close to me to stay close to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.