When Choosing Friends Consider This

Prov. 13:20 - He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. NASU 

• Old Cliché 

There is a saying that goes like this: "You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends". I would simply like to add to this saying: "You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends, so choose wisely my friend".
 
My good friend and wrestling Coach Barry Davis told me about quite a few different wrestlers that he knew and coached over the years that associated with the wrong people.
 
One wrestler connected with the wrong girl friend and instead of returning the next year and becoming a National Champ, he didn't even finish as an All American as he had done the previous year.
 
Solomon said it many years ago and this is still great advice today. Choose your friends wisely. If you become friends with a fool it will cost you dearly. 

• The Apostle Paul 

Over a thousand years after Solomon the Apostle Paul would say it this way in: 1 Corin. 15:33 - Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." NASU
 
All in all both men are simply saying something like this: "Show me your friends and I will show you your future." 

• Solomon Says 

His advice is pretty simple and straight forward. You want to associate with people who are wise. Wise people understand that life is not all about them. It is about helping others and being the best that you can be while on this earth.
 
We all have this in common and that is we are going to die.
 
So what are you going to do with your life before death comes knocking on your door?
 
The one thing you don't want to do is waste your time associating with the wrong people.
 
Serago's paraphrase of what Solomon says reads like this: "You associate with fools and it will bring guaranteed suffering into your life."
 
THE MESSAGE says it this way, "Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces." 

• Conclusion 

It is never too late to change your course. If you haven't been associating with wise people then start now. If you have been associating with fools then stop now.
 
Read God's Word because it will tell you the type of people to have as friends.
 
Think About These:
 
A wise man learns by the experiences of others.
An ordinary man learns by his own experiences.
A fool learns by nobody's experiences.
 
Knowledge knows a fact. Wisdom knows what to do with that fact.
 
Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

​Minister of God's Word
 ​