Proverbs 13
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Have you ever heard someone say that “you are known by the company you keep?” There is a lot of truth in this statement. Consider the person at school who runs with a certain crowd, so everyone assumes that he/she is into whatever that group is doing. If someone plays basketball, you assume he/she is athletic, right? And we all have a tendency to lump people into categories… “jocks,” “Goths,” “preps,” “nerds.” Or if you are an adult, maybe your categories are “yuppies,” “retirees,” “homeless,” “new money,” “old money.” And how about “Jesus freaks” or “unchurched?” Regardless of the label, we anticipate that the people we have grouped will behave in a certain way that relates to that label.
This is not right thinking… it is wrong of us to judge and categorize people. It is also human nature. And the bigger problem seems to be where you may fit in these groups. You truly are known by the company you keep. So who is your company? Are you spending your time serving God, attending church activities and Bible study? Do you volunteer your spare time to help others? Or will others see you hanging out at the lake with your buddies, smoking and drinking? Will people see you spending time engaged in activities with your family? Or will they see you dancing at a bar with a group of women on a Friday night while your husbands or baby sitters are at home with your children? Will they see you attending a ballgame with your dad and brothers? Or will they see you driving to a casino with a group of your buddies?
Will others see you bashing people of other races, cheating on tests at school, driving too fast, wearing suggestive clothing, or disrespecting your elders, then coming to church on Sunday and raising your hands in prayer to God Almighty? Verse 20 tells us to walk with wise men and be wise, or walk with fools and be destroyed. So I ask you today… when people look at you and the company you keep, are you in the company of fools, or are you obeying God’s word and choosing wisely?
©2007 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment