WALK WITH THE WISE

“He who WALKS WITH WISE MEN will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” – Proverbs 13:20

To walk in perfection is to WALK WITH THE WISE: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Pro.13:20). The Message Bible says, “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces”! Those who heed this call “shall be rewarded” (v.13). The phrase “walks with” is a metaphor for associating or “living one’s life with,” which encompasses thoughts, actions, and feelings. For better or worse, people are known by the company they keep, and folks with whom we choose to surround ourselves invariably have a huge effect on our beliefs, values, and actions. Peer pressure can last a lifespan. Our acquaintances and their expectations shape who we are and what we think; hence, we must be careful in choosing our friends, for they will have a formative influence on us.

The person who lives in the company of the wise will learn from their experiences and expertise, and find no encouragement for his own foolish actions. However, walking with the wise and not paying attention holds no benefit. The alternative to walking with the wise is surrounding oneself with fools, and suffering harm – to the entire person, body or soul. Fools put themselves in all manner of hazardous situations. Think of the dire consequences of making foolish decisions while piloting a plane, driving a car or manoeuvring through traffic. Failure to plan wisely for the future can lead to misery and avoidable losses. Much more significant than any physical harm is the spiritual harm that can result from associating with fools.

The character of our associates will either shape our lives or expose our folly: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa.1:1-2). Rehoboam of Judah listened to his foolish friends and reaped a divided kingdom, with deeply entrenched idolatry (1 Kings 12-14). Judas Iscariot walked with the very incarnation of God’s wisdom Himself, and yet he fell into grave sin and destruction. Simply hanging around wise people is not enough to benefit from them. As we seek out wise friends and mentors, we must endeavour to drink from their wisdom like from “a fountain of life” (v.14). We learn to ponder on their words and ask probing questions for maximum reward.

Stephen Blandino suggests three words that characterise walking with the wise: Friend, Frequent, and Forward.

Friend – To walk with the wise means not taking the journey of life alone. You need wise companions and friends to walk with you. These may include your spouse, other family members, co-workers, neighbours, leaders, coaches, and mentors. The question is, “Are they wise?” Do they exhibit a love for God and passion for people, a learning attitude, a humble heart, a morally-sound life, the ability to listen, and a strong work ethic? If so, invest your quality time with such. To non-Christian associates, we must become salt and light (Mt.5:14-16).

Frequent – Walking doesn’t imply a one-time ramble through the park, but frequent walks throughout life. It depicts the idea of taking a journey with someone, not occasional visits. It’s doing life with others, not flinging an annual revelry to catch up. As exciting as Christmas is, even more delightful are all of the meals you share throughout the year. Walking with the wise isn’t so much a special celebration relationship, but regular connections with others who enrich your life. Frequent doses of wisdom are better that one massive injection. Frequency allows you to digest the lessons from the wise and absorb nuggets of wisdom one dose at a time.

Forward – To walk with the wise implies forward and upward movement. You’re neither retrogressing nor sitting still. You’re taking steps forward to a better destination and more glorious future.

Are the people you spend the most time with helping you become wiser? Are you enjoying rewarding relationships?