“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
I was reminded of this proverb today, in reflection of the individual journey we each take in life. I’m sure you, like me, have your own personal story where you can pinpoint seasons you’ve walked with the wise and seasons you’ve walked with the foolish. This proverb speaks of the same wisdom that says, “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Did you grow up hearing such words?
Who we allow closest to us - the inner circle of friends - are the ones who will most influence us. For better or worse. We become like those we’re around.
Who are you closest with? Who are you walking with?
Do you want to become like them?
It’s kind of scary when you think about it – that being a companion of a fool makes you subject to much harm just because of being in connection with them. On the flipside, surrounding ourselves with those that are wise will result in us being wise. Our growth will be stunted, or our growth will flourish in correlation to those we are gleaning from.
Is the company we’re keeping furthering us to fulfill the plans and purposes that God has laid out for us or are they hindering us from that destiny? Fools don’t inherit Kingdom blessings; in the same way they don’t typically surrender to a life of following the Spirit.
Can we take an honest look at the company we’re keeping and assess honestly before God, if there’s anyone we need to set up boundaries with, in order to not be made a fool of ourselves? How about praying for the Holy Spirit to bring to the surface new opportunities with people who speak wisdom into our lives? Relationships with those who will sharpen us like iron so that we are challenged to grow in the ways of Truth. How about praying to step out of complacency, and surrender to learning from someone who God gives us as a mentor? Someone who challenges us to cling to the wisdom of Christ that is available to all followers of Jesus.
Responsive Prayer:
“Holy Spirit, will you reveal to my heart and mind the state of what kind of company I’ve been keeping? Will You guide me into relationships that edify me, encourage me, and stir me up to be the disciple You need me to be in order to fulfill the plans You have for me? I choose to surrender my ways, my friends, and my plans, to You God. Show me what wisdom looks like. Make me wise. Help me to desire more and more of the holy, healthy wisdom that can only come from You, and not the façade that the world has to offer. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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