Who are Your Companions?
Proverbs 13:20 – He that
walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Physicists tell us that all physical objects exert a gravitational pull
on each other; they silently influence and affect each other. If this is true
for physical, inanimate objects, how much truer is it for living beings? The
Bible reinforces the fact that we are being constantly influenced and we are
also, simultaneously influencing others. The type of people we associate and walk
with will determine much of the quality and outcome of our lives.
To walk
with someone implies a steady, consistent connection and relationship. Apparently,
both wisdom and foolishness are transferable through our association with
others and the influence they have on our attitude, our speech and our overall
way of life. We don’t become wise or foolish overnight, but both are inevitable
depending on the kind of people with whom we consistently associate.
If we
desire to be wise, then we must intentionally find wise people to observe and
learn from. Have you noticed that those who work in the financial planning
realm usually end up being well-off financially? That is because all day long
they are in an environment where finances and wise investments are on people’s
minds and in their conversations. If a young lady goes to work in one of those
offices, she will come under the influence of older ones who have proven these
things over time and have become very successful. There is also, a climate of
positive peer pressure which influences all to use their money wisely. Over
time, the young lady, by walking with wise mentors will become financially
wise.
We are
directly influenced, whether positively or negatively, by those with whom we
spend time. It might be the books we read, the movies we watch, the people we
are involved with, or the places we go. Thoughts, ideas, philosophies and
beliefs affect us, influence us and mould our lives. If all we do is spend time
observing people at the beach, then bikinis and biceps will be what is on our
mind. If all we do is go to the mall, then jackets and jewelry will absorb our
thoughts. What do we spend the bulk of our time doing? What is it that consumes
our energies and interests? Have you and I taken an inventory lately?
Foolishness brings ruin and loss and it is the sad story of all
stubborn, thick-headed people. A fool is oblivious to what is happening around
him. He continues rushing recklessly forward on the same rough road not having
sense enough to stop and consider where this road leads. He is unaware that he
is destroying himself because he is about as sharp as a child’s plastic axe. Every
day brings more pain but, apparently, not enough to motivate him to initiate change.
The
principles of wisdom are slowly taught, and it is our responsibility and choice
to seek out the resources of wisdom; read the books, listen to the messages, and
learn those principles, but the attitude of wisdom is subconsciously caught.
That attitude is infectious and you can only catch it from spending time and rubbing
shoulders with intelligent and wise people. Get some new friends, associate
with people who have some goals, acquaint yourself with the wide world of
wisdom, listen and learn, observe and practice and then, watch your life steadily
change and improve in ways that you could never have imagined.
