Walk with the Wise: Your Circle Shapes You
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." — Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)
Who you surround yourself with matters. No doubt about it.
While studying this verse, I came across an old saying: "A man's character is known by the company he chooses." A person becomes like those with whom he associates. This doesn't mean we avoid people who are lost — we're called to engage them with the Gospel. But there's a difference between reaching someone and letting them shape you. When it comes to who you allow into your heart, who you let speak into your decisions, and who you give influence over your life, it's wise to choose people who walk the right path.
Think about the five people you spend the most time with. Are they drawing you closer to the Lord or pushing you further from Him? Are they sharpening your faith or dulling it? You may not notice it day to day, but over time, the company you keep quietly shapes the person you become. Proverbs doesn't say the companion of fools might suffer harm. It says he will.
This verse also applies to parenting. As parents, we must pay close attention to who our children walk with — and be willing to adjust when necessary. It's best to start young, because it becomes much harder to manage as they approach their teen years. In our family, we were very intentional about the environments we placed our kids in. We spent much of our time at church and took full advantage of the programs available. Awana was outstanding, and the youth programs were fantastic as they grew older. My wife and I volunteered whenever we could — not just to help, but to show our kids how important it was to be planted in the right soil.
Walking with the wise isn't accidental. It's a daily, deliberate choice — for yourself and your family.
Big Idea
The people you walk with will shape who you become. Choose people who sharpen your faith, challenge your character, and draw you closer to the Lord — and do the same for your children.
Questions to Ponder
Are you or someone you care about spending too much time with people who pull you away from the Lord? If so, what needs to change? When you look at the five people closest to you, are they sharpening your faith or dulling it?
Application
This week, take an honest look at your inner circle. Identify one relationship that consistently pulls you away from the Lord or dulls your walk with Him, and another that sharpens it. Invest more time in the one that sharpens — and have an honest conversation with God about the one that doesn't.
Before the Lord — a daily devotional by Blake S. Crawford. Read more and subscribe free at blakescrawford.com/before-the-lord.