Proverbs 13.20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
One of the most important decisions you make on The Path is who you choose to travel with. Those who choose the fellowship of fools will eventually find themselves in serious trouble, whereas those who “walk with the wise” will learn and enjoy the benefits of wisdom.
It is a simple rule for an effective life: You are the company you keep. Therefore, choose your friends carefully. Stay away from foolish people and close to wise people. The New Testament states it very clearly: “Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15.33).
We are influenced by the people with whom we associate. Everyone knows this to be true. There’s even a term for it: Peer pressure. Our desire for “belonging” can be so strong that we are sometimes tempted to compromise our beliefs or suspend our better judgment in order to fit in with the group.
We are social creatures, and we have a deep fear of not belonging.
If you walk with the right people on the path, peer pressure is positive. That is why the Proverb says “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise.” This is the fellowship of wisdom, and it leads to good things.
If you walk with the wrong people on the path, peer pressure is negative. That is why the Proverb says “the companion of fools will suffer harm.” This is the fellowship of fools, and it inevitably leads to bad things.
Note that this reinforces the principle that wisdom is not simply granted to us; rather, wisdom is something we learn through fellowship and interaction with wise people.
Who are your closest friends? With whom do you spend the majority of your time? To whom do you look for insight and guidance? What people have the strongest influence on your life?
Are they people who know and love God? Are they people who encourage you to honor the Lord in everything you do? Are they people who make good decisions in their own life and challenge you to do the same? Or are they fools that seek to take you off the path to which the Lord calls you?
Walk with the wise on The Path.
Coram Deo
