It would not be amiss to say a few words about the early steps that often lead to great consequences, either for good or bad. Young Christians need to be particularly careful in the choice of their companions. We are all more or less influenced by the company we keep; therefore we should guard against friendships that could lead us into wrong paths.
In Acts 4:23 we read of the apostles that "Being let go, they went to their own company." Who were their own company? Why the Christians, of course. Then as now Christians were greatly in the minority; they were surrounded by Jews on the one side and heathen of all degrees on the other, but these early Christians desired to be, and kept, in their own company.
We have to mingle with unbelievers at school and at work in the performance of our daily duties, but it is not necessary to carry such associations beyond the bounds of duty. To become companions of them, or to mix socially with them, is a dangerous course.
From these associations which are not kept to the minimum of what duty requires, come many unhappy marriages. Perhaps a young sister will say that she only keeps close company with young ladies in the world (they are not her own company, however), and when those bonds grow stronger a girl friend may say, "I want you to meet my brother." This may be a situation that was not calculated on, and before long the young Christian has been led to accept the offer of an evening with a girl friend's charming young brother. Let it not be supposed that this is merely a hypothetical case; such things do happen.
We have remarked about those whom the Christian should not marry; shall we not add that if a young man never went out with an unsaved girl, he would never marry her. And if a young sister never accepted attentions from an unsaved young man, she would never marry him. We cannot stress too strongly the need of watchfulness against the first steps in the wrong direction. If there is no first step, there will be no second one, no third one, and no ultimate marriage.
We have seen young believers trapped by being asked to go out with an unbeliever just once. After that it became easier to do it again, and before long a strengthened bond of friendship was formed. Frequently persons interested in the welfare of young Christians walking into such a trap, have sought to warn them. A common response to such a warning is an assurance from the young believer that marriage is not contemplated, and that it would not even be considered with an unbeliever. Perhaps young people who respond in this manner are sincere, but human affection is a delicate thing, and most unpredictable. It can get in and grow almost unperceived for a time, but when it is well rooted, it is only removed by a very painful operation. It may leave wounds and scars that last for years, for to give up one after the affections have become involved, is not done without some sorrow and perhaps broken hearts.
Christians have been caught in such webs as a fly is caught in the most filmy and delicate spider's web, and then rather than break the heart of one they have come to love, they have chosen to deliberately disobey God. At this point they usually try to persuade themselves that the one they love is a Christian after all, but does not have the ability to express it correctly. There is nothing quite so gullible as a heart entwined around another's. Such can be so thoroughly deceived as to believe the very opposite of the truth. Again, young Christians, we warn and plead with you to beware of the early steps that may lead to an unsuitable marriage, or that may lead you away from the Lord into any one of many sorrowful paths.