S) "20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Proverbs 13:20 (NASB)
O) Ouch. This truth hurts. Literally, hurts. We like to pretend we're above it. We like to pretend that the company we keep has no ill effect on us. The truth is, even if keeping company with fools does not turn us into fools (although, it might), there is no room for interpretation here - we will suffer harm. On the flip-side, we still like to hang on to the promise of this verse. I hear that quoted all of the time. But, we cannot dissect the Bible and only injest the parts that suit our tastes.
A) I think part of the reason we (as a Christian culture) quote only the positive side of verses like this, is the same reason we all like to take the online quizzes which tell us which [fill-in-the-blank]-type of person we are. Ever notice how, regardless of the parameters, the overwhelming majority of those results are still positive? Like, I recently took an online quiz, asking to find out Which Biblical Person Are You? I got Simon Peter. It said some really cool things about, how I like the truth, and I want to lead, but I try to be compassionate, blah-blah-blah. And I'm all like, "Sweet! I can get down with that! I'm like, 'Rock solid!'" - but here's the thing - I don't think I could answer that quiz and get, say, King Uzziah (see 2 Chronicles 26). It's not like, "You start off strong, but your pride usually gets you in trouble with God. If leprosy still existed, you should expect to die from it." - No, we like to take those surveys because they make us feel good about ourselves. The beginning of this verse (and others) feels kinda like that. I'm like, "Yeah! get me some wisdom from some wise men!" But then, when I read the second half, I'm usually like, "Yeah, well, only if I let them affect me like that. But I won't!" - So arrogant! That's not at all what it says! It says, "... will suffer harm." (emphasis added), because there is no doubt about it. I cannot arrogantly think that warnings don't apply to me, and I cannot afford the harm I will suffer, being a companion to fools.
A) I think part of the reason we (as a Christian culture) quote only the positive side of verses like this, is the same reason we all like to take the online quizzes which tell us which [fill-in-the-blank]-type of person we are. Ever notice how, regardless of the parameters, the overwhelming majority of those results are still positive? Like, I recently took an online quiz, asking to find out Which Biblical Person Are You? I got Simon Peter. It said some really cool things about, how I like the truth, and I want to lead, but I try to be compassionate, blah-blah-blah. And I'm all like, "Sweet! I can get down with that! I'm like, 'Rock solid!'" - but here's the thing - I don't think I could answer that quiz and get, say, King Uzziah (see 2 Chronicles 26). It's not like, "You start off strong, but your pride usually gets you in trouble with God. If leprosy still existed, you should expect to die from it." - No, we like to take those surveys because they make us feel good about ourselves. The beginning of this verse (and others) feels kinda like that. I'm like, "Yeah! get me some wisdom from some wise men!" But then, when I read the second half, I'm usually like, "Yeah, well, only if I let them affect me like that. But I won't!" - So arrogant! That's not at all what it says! It says, "... will suffer harm." (emphasis added), because there is no doubt about it. I cannot arrogantly think that warnings don't apply to me, and I cannot afford the harm I will suffer, being a companion to fools.
P) Father, open my eyes to see when I am being arrogant! Show me when I am putting myself in harm's way, by keeping company with fools. Spare me, in grace, according to Your will, from such needless pain and loss. When I seek wise counsel, lead me by Your Spirit, so that I am finding wisdom that is from You, and not simply from man. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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