"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20 ESV
Oh boy! Does this verse provoke memories? In the long hours of summer growing up, my friends and I would do some idiotic stuff. Don't get me wrong; we were all good kids, but we would come up with one stupid unwise idea after another when we were together—for example, playing war with B.B. guns—or riding a bike down a steep hill to Lake Monroe on a bike with no brakes.
Who we choose to walk with certainly has an impact on our lives. But it's not just the effect other people have on our lives. It also goes the other way; our actions influence others. The unwise decisions we might make as individuals become multiplied by the collective.
We are influenced in our walk by what we choose to read, listen to, and watch. The media is a powerful influence, impacting not only our thoughts but who we choose as friends. It is easy to be swayed by the rhetoric of the talking heads and fall in with fools.
In Christ, there is always hope. In the Holy Spirit, we can find guidance in sorting out the wise from the foolish. God loves us and doesn't want us to come to harm.
God, we enter into your presence with praise and thanksgiving. We come to you seeking guidance. We acknowledge we often make poor decisions. Please help us today in sorting out the wise from the foolish. Lead our feet on the path of righteousness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
