Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
It matters with whom we associate. We cannot avoid being around all kinds of people. Some will be likable and some not … cheerful or not … kind or not … problem solvers or not … complainers or not … and wise or not.
Contact and collaboration are necessary with all these people. But … we do not have to “walk with” everyone in the sense referred to by this Proverb. Everyone must choose their principles and beliefs, and in so doing you will discover whom you should walk in step with. And by observation, others should be able to figure out who you “walk with.” They are the ones with whom you share a common faith, the ones you admire and want to imitate. These are the ones who will back you up in a disagreement, because you know their heart and they know yours. Skin color, cultural background, education, social standing, and affluence have nothing to do with this.
If I could make a group photo of the people I have “walked with” in my life because I sought their wisdom … They are from cultures and colors all around the world … Some have been far older than me, some far younger … Some have lived in mansions, some have lived in a tent camp in the woods … Some count their money in the millions, while some have no bank account, just what is in their pocket … Some have doctorate degrees, some never went inside a school … Some are popular with others, some not … Some are widely known or famous, some count their friends on one hand. God will show you with whom you should walk in order to become wise.
As we relate to those whom we think of as wise, we are influenced by their character and behavior. We observe how they have a positive effect on the world around them. We ask them questions and learn their secrets of peace, motivation, boldness, and wisdom.
I hope you have a desire to become a wiser person. God loves us as we are … yes … but he loves us too much to leave us the way we are. It has been said that you can’t “go with God” and stay where you are. And an important aspect of becoming who God wants us to be is that of walking with wise people.
Do you know that there are lots of very smart people who are foolish? The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) Intelligence and foolishness can coexist within a person. There is a great difference between being smart and being wise. My admiration goes to those wise people whom God has placed in my life for the purpose of lifting me up and showing me the way.
Have you noticed that some folks are attracted to foolish people? They associate with them because it appears at times that they are carefree and unburdened. Whereas the wise person appears to be doing too much work, or getting redirected sometimes by inconvenient interruptions, or even being forced to make sacrifices that are not appealing. However, the wise person chooses these inconveniences for the greater good of others and for the high calling of character and integrity.
For you and me to become the best we are meant to be, it matters whom we admire and imitate. As for the one who is foolish, but appears on the outside to “have it made” … a window into their private moments might show us the “flip side” of their lifestyle, which includes hidden inner suffering, and whose behaviors create undesirable consequences. They get tied up in a pattern of repeatedly making botched attempts to reverse the results of their foolishness. These are the things they hide from us.
Spending time with foolish people can be a good thing. They may seek us out because they admire something about us. But again, there is a difference between spending time with someone and being their “companion.” Do you see that? If we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14), then we must get close to and involved with people who need salt and light. Our companions, however, are those with whom we stand in lockstep in the faith, ready to change the world.
Have you ever suffered harm because you were the companion of fools? Hopefully, we have left that behind and moved on. If not, now would be a good time to resolve to walk with the wise, and in so doing become wise.
Blessings,
Chaplain Mark