Walking with the wise men
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but he who associates with fools will suffer evil.” Proverbs 13:20
Whether we like it or not, peer pressure is a reality for all of us, at any age. The people we associate with ultimately influence who we become. It’s easy to think that as we mature, we’re beyond all the silly influence of others, like it was when we were in school.
A closer look at humanity reveals something quite different: regardless of age, social status, location… people are drawn to be like others, to follow each other and to think like others think.
The writer of Proverbs knew this well. He pleaded with his sons to spend time with wise men, those of high moral character and lifestyle, because he wanted the best for them.
His use of the term “walk” in this verse is not by accident. Walk is a word of choice; in this context has the idea of A lifestyle. It is a constant, daily, step-by-step progression throughout life.
In another sense, the Hebrew term “walk” is used of making a journey. So when you walk, it is the method you apply to reach your destination. That destiny finds its purpose at the end of life.
As in most Proverbs, Solomon uses a two-part comparison, where he takes a principle, illustrates it with a concrete image, and then gives the opposite. This principle of two teaching methods emphasizes simplicity: the writer does not go on for pages saying the same thing over and over or explaining it in different ways. His brilliance is evident in his simplicity, his clarity. Here, by stating that “the companion of fools will come to harm,” he assures the reader of what happens if he does not walk with the wise. Spending our lives with foolish people will eventually bring harmful results to our lives. And the application for us is clear: it is vital to choose partners that we want to be like.
I once knew a younger businessman who avoided people of his generation. He only hung out with older, successful businessmen. He played golf with them, had drinks with them, treated them to lunch. Why? He wanted to be like them. He wanted to develop his mannerisms, habits, and schedules, because these men had made many of the mistakes that young men would inevitably make, but they had proven their business skills with their ultimate success. He walked with the wise, instead of walking with the foolish.
In a much more important sense, we must do the same with our spiritual comrades. If we want to live wisely, it’s not going to happen by relaxing with idiots. It happens by spending time, walking, with those who have gone before, experienced life’s losses and victories, and come forward with genuine wisdom.
There is a journey ahead of us. Let’s start now…