Key Verse: “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
It’s hard not to appreciate some of the hairstyles of the 1980’s. One only has to look at the mullet, and there’s not much more that needs to be said. When I was in junior high, the hairstyle of choice was to shave lines in the side of your head. Or if you were really cool, you would grow a “rat tail”, which was a long tail-like length of hair growing from the back of your head. Looking back, the question that comes to mind is: why? Why exactly did people choose to do any of this? For the most part, it was because everybody else was doing it. It’s what was trendy back then.
Whether you realize it or not the people with whom you associate have a big influence on you. They influence how you dress, how you talk, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the books you read, and whatever else you do in your spare time.
The same is true when it comes to what you believe about God, and how seriously you choose to pursue Him and the mission He has given to you. If you surround yourself with people who are kingdom-driven and passionate about Jesus, they can have a powerful effect in spurring you on in the right direction as well. People can have an enormous influence on our lives.
This is the principle that is being highlighted in Proverbs 13:20. The type of people you choose to spend your time with will influence the person you will become. If you choose to walk with the wise you will become wise. But if you choose a fool as your friend or companion, you will become like him or her and eventually suffer harm.
Does this mean that we should create a bunch of “holy huddles” and avoid anyone who might drag us down? Of course not! Jesus has called us to shine our light in the darkness and to be His witnesses. To be engaged in the mission requires that we get to know people who don’t yet know Christ.
Proverbs 13:20 does teach us though that we need to choose very carefully those with whom we most closely associate. Jesus modeled this perfectly for us. He spent lots of time hanging out with the “sinners” of the day. But His closest friends were the apostles, those who wanted to learn and grow in His wisdom.
Consider today the people in your life who are your closest friends or companions. Are they those who are wise, people who share your passion for Jesus and for His kingdom work? Are they people who are encouraging you to pursue holiness and to grow in obedience to the Lord? Or are they more like a “fool”, those who are having a negative effect on your relationship with Jesus and are making it more difficult for you to walk closely with Him?
Remember, whoever walks with the wise will become wise. So choose carefully who influences you!
Prayer: Father, I want to continue to walk and grow in wisdom. Help me today to be intentional about closely surrounding myself with people who are passionate about you and your kingdom. Put people in my path today who are “wise” and can spur me on to greater love and passion for you. As I pursue your mission, guard me against being influenced by those who are walking in foolish ways. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
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