Jump Start # 477

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

  The book of Proverbs is full of contrasts and comparisons. Often the picture is painted of what not to do and what to do. Our verse today is one of those many contrasts—looking at the wise and the fool, a major theme in Proverbs.

  The wise walks with other wise people. This passage is driving at influences in our lives. It has been said that you and I will be the same in five years except for the books we read and the people we associate with. The fool, hangs with other fools. There is an old expression that states, “birds of a feather flock together.” That’s the idea here.

  The wise is not necessary just smart people—smart people can be fools. The wise, as used in Proverbs, are those that fear God and respect God. We might use the word righteous, or disciples, or Christians. But this is more than just a group of Christians getting together for a meal, the passage implies some learning, mentoring and growth taking place. By walking with the wise a person gets wiser. He learns. He listens. He looks inward. He makes course corrections. He is shaped, molded and made stronger in the Lord.

  This passage is describing a person who surrounds himself with quality people that he admires and looks up to. They are successful in life. They have strong marriages. They are leaders in their own way. They take seriously the work of God. They realize that they are part of God’s plans and purpose.

  Only good can come from such associations. Ideas flow, encouragement pours forth like oxygen, it’s positive good and right. Do you have that in your life? Do you have those who challenge you to greater heights with the Lord? Do you have those whose presence just lifts you up and makes you want to do right? Those influences in your life lead you to a better life and they make you become a better you.

  I was in one such meeting last night. It was with elders of the church where I preach. Once a month we meet in one of our homes. After a nice meal, the men all get together and talk. We don’t talk about typical church matters—this is a meeting to lift each of us higher. We talk visions, plans, goals—some easy to see, some more radical and complex. We use the time to keep all of us on the same page and to keep all of us motivated. These are my wise men. By walking with them they make me wise. They make me think good and noble thoughts. They push me to push them. It’s a wonderful relationship—different ages, different backgrounds but one common goal and love and that is Jesus. It was rich, challenging, insightful, and extremely encouraging. I love being plugged in to those guys. They make me be a better me.

  I think the Scriptures can do the same for us. Not so much reading to figure out tough passages or reading to find answers to our friends questions, but especially looking at Jesus in the Gospels. Looking at His kindness, His compassion, His love for all people. Jesus with the Jewish teacher at night, or Jesus with the woman in trouble in the temple, or Jesus with the parents of a young girl who had just died…walking with Jesus tends to chip away at our hardness and roughness. We look in and we remember times when we were bothered by other people and we ignored others because we didn’t like them…the one who walks with the wise will be wise. We start grasping grace and forgiveness. We start releasing ourselves and put an end to selfishness. Walking with Jesus does that.

  We’ve not said much about the fool. What do you say? He’s a fool. He’s missing out. His life is surrounded with those who encourage him to continue being dumb in life and fail with God. He’ll have a good time, until he meets God. But his relationships will be crooked and broken. Selfishness and self indulgence will dominate the fool’s life. He’ll laugh at the wrong things, make light of the right things and be so arrogant that he’ll never get it, mostly because he keeps feeding his foolish heart with more foolishness.

  The wise—going a different direction. Seeking different things. Surrounding himself with quality spiritual people.

  Family isn’t necessarily wise simply because they are our family. Some family members may fall into the fool category. It’s a mater of finding those wise people who have the right heart, spirit, attitude, and desire that God wants them to have. Spend time with them. Go to lunch with them. Ask them questions. Find out what they are reading. Find out who they consider wise.

  This passage is about making ourselves better. One way is to associate with wise people. Are you content with just the way you are or are you working on making a better you? It starts with the type of people you associate with. This is true in school, work, church and in our families. Seek out those who are walking with the Lord. Spend time with them.

  Thanks to my circle of wise men: Bill, Larry, Lee, Jim, Brent and Dave. You are a team of wise men!

Roger