We’re spending some time looking at the most famous proverbs. Here’s Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

‘Walking with the wise’ refers to spending time with people who are wise. In contrast, being ‘a companion of fools’ means spending time with foolish people. The first is good, the second is a source of harm in your life. The apostle Paul reiterates this principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 when he says that “bad company corrupts good character.”

The point is that your peer group rubs off on you. A good peer group rubs off, and so does a bad one. You are impressionable whether you like it or not.

Can you organize your life so that you never interact with foolish people? Probably not. But I think this proverb is meant to help us think deliberately about the people we choose to spend time with in a social context. 

This proverb was written by King Solomon. Unfortunately, he neglected his own advice later in his life. 1 Kings 11:4-6 narrates the disaster. As he grew old “his wives turned his heart after other gods.” He followed the goddess of the Sidonians and Molek the god of the Ammonites. He “did evil in the eyes of the LORD”!

He surrounded himself with the wrong people. His devotion turned to disaster.

In short, be careful about the company you keep. 

Foolish people will rub off in a bad way. Wise people will also rub off. As a result, you will make better decisions. 

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

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Notes:

–“Memorable is Portable: The Most Famous Proverbs, Part 1.” Sermon. July 23, 2023. Click here.

—Please note that after July 31, The Up Devotional is going on pause for four weeks (while I enjoy some vacation time) but will resume on August 29, 2023. You can listen to past devotionals as a podcast wherever you subscribe, or you can read them at TheUpDevo.com. 

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.