Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
– and do not reject your mother’s teaching;
for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
– let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
like Sheol let us swallow them alive
– and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.
We shall find all kinds of costly things;
– we shall fill our houses with booty.
Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”
my child, do not walk in their way,
– keep your foot from their paths;
for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on;
yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!
– and set an ambush—for their own lives!
Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain;
– it takes away the life of its possessors. Proverbs 1:8-19
Just like the writer of Proverbs, we have heard from mothers and fathers, grandparents and other keepers of wisdom that we should be careful of the company that we keep. There is something about how the values of those we spend time around can begin to shape our values. It may come to pass that if we surround ourselves with negative people, our outlook will get a little soured. And if we spend time with people who look on the positive side, things in life might tend to appear a little better.
As a proactive response to this Proverb, how about spending as much time as possible with other disciples of Jesus? If we have a choice about whose company we will keep, why not see if faith can rub off on us. Maybe both will benefit from the time spent together.
Dear God, introduce me to more of Your children as I am filling my moments with those who will help me make memories. Amen.