Daily Devotionals

Mix Tape Week 1 Wednesday

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20

One of my friends laughed the other day about how often she and her best friend show up to lunch, a movie, or even church, wearing the same outfit. These two spend a lot of time together. The truth is, we become like the people we surround ourselves with. Whether we are looking for a spouse or friends who will encourage us in our faith, this is a helpful reminder for all of us. The people who we spend time with have quite an impact on us. As we seek to surround ourselves with people who push us in the direction we want to go, we have first to ask ourselves, “Who do we want to become?” After asking this question, we can then evaluate and make sure that we surround ourselves with people who will help us become the person we want to be.

Proverbs 13:20 talks about the impact people can have on us. The verse teaches, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” It is clear after reading this verse that we become like the people whom we walk with. If we walk with wise people, we will also be wise because we walk in the same direction towards wisdom. The opposite is also true. If we walk with foolish people, we will also become foolish. This verse specifically addresses wisdom, but it can be applied to many areas of life. We will become more like Christ if we walk with people who are also walking towards Christ. We will become like the world if we associate with people who are walking in the direction of the world.

 So, the question we have to answer is, “Who do we want to become?” When we honestly take time to answer this question, we have to ask ourselves if we are surrounding ourselves with people who are walking in the direction we want to go? If you are single and looking to get married, look for someone walking in the same direction that you are headed towards. If you are married, commit with your spouse to surround yourselves with people encouraging you to walk in the direction towards the Lord. We will become like the people we surround ourselves with. Let’s commit to becoming more like Christ and surround ourselves with people who are walking towards Him as well.

Moving Toward Action

Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are you spending time with people who have a positive impact on your life? If you are single, are you dating or looking to date people of character? Find a trusted friend and ask them to have honest conversations with you while you are dating about your character. Give them permission to tell you if you are dating someone who is not pointing you in the direction of Christ. If you are married, think about your other relationships and friendships. Do you have people in your life who encourage you in your relationship with God? Over the next week, reach out and spend time with them this week. If not, pray for and seek out those people in your life who are walking towards God and will encourage you to walk with Him as well.

Going Deeper

Proverbs 13:1-25 (NLT)

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;

a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Wise words will win you a good meal,

but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;

opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Lazy people want much but get little,

but those who work hard will prosper.

The godly hate lies;

the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

Godliness guards the path of the blameless,

but the evil are misled by sin.

Some who are poor pretend to be rich;

others who are rich pretend to be poor.

The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,

but the poor won’t even get threatened.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy,

but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Pride leads to conflict;

those who take advice are wise.

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;

wealth from hard work grows over time.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

People who despise advice are asking for trouble;

those who respect a command will succeed.

The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;

those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

A person with good sense is respected;

a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

Wise people think before they act;

fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,

but a reliable messenger brings healing.

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;

if you accept correction, you will be honored.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true,

but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

Walk with the wise and become wise;

associate with fools and get in trouble.

Trouble chases sinners,

while blessings reward the righteous.

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,

but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

A poor person’s farm may produce much food,

but injustice sweeps it all away.

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.

Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

The godly eat to their hearts’ content,

but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.