The Company You Keep

Proverbs 13:20

Walk with wise people and become wise;

    befriend fools and get in trouble.

There are a few other proverbs that express a similar sentiment; the people you spend time with matters because what they do influences you whether you want it to or not.  While there is truth here to which all should pay attention, sometimes we take something farther than was implied by the saying.  Some have taken scriptures like this and used them to support the view that Christians should not spend time with anyone except other Christians.  Let’s talk about the wisdom here first and then, the danger of taking too it far.

                When I was a teenager, I ran with a group of guys that affectionately called ourselves “the awesome foursome.”  We did almost everything together.  We spent nights at each other’s houses so often, all four of us called all of our moms “mom.”  Looking back on that time, some of the most foolish things I’ve ever done, I did because I was with a group that was doing it.  The influence of the group on me certainly wasn’t all bad, for my membership in the group kept us all coming to church.  But I scratch my head now and wonder how is it that joined in foolishness that, even back then, I knew was a bad idea.  Of course, it was the influence of the company I was keeping (and my influence of them).  Since then, I have been a bit more aware of how the thoughts, attitudes, and actions of those around me push me in certain ways.  Sometimes it’s good, but sometimes it is not helpful at all.

                So does that mean I should never spend time with people who may exert a negative influence over me?  The answer is no.  Jesus spent time with notorious “sinners” and He did it with purpose.  He did it to exert a positive influence on them.  He calls us to do the same.  However, we must engage with others fully aware of how we are being influenced by others and by intentionally staying focused on staying the right course.

                We are given a crucial resource that can empower us to navigate this important balance – the Holy Spirit.  To the extent we are taking care of the disciplines that help us connect to the Spirt, we can then engage people that we want to influence for God.  Reading the Bible, praying, meditation, and others reinforce our highest convictions and strengthen our influence potential with others.  Also, to the extent that we wish to influence others, we must also intentionally spend time with people who energize us.  The idea is to strike a balance between those who are a good influence over us and those we wish to influence on behalf of Christ, 

Questions:  Who are the people that positively influence you?  Who are the people you wish to influence?  Is there a balance between those two groups in your life?  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, give us Your Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions.  Help us be sensitive to the way that we influence others and the way others influence us.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for southeastern states that will be affected by Hurricane Idaila in the next couple days.

Song:  This song reminds me of “The Awesome Foursome,” but it also causes me to think about how groups of people influence each other.

Thin Lizzy – The Boys are Back in Town