Who are you walking with?

A Spanish proverb says: Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are. That is actually very close to what the scriptures say. Proverbs 13:20 (ERV) says: “Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.” We do not have the power to choose our biological family, but we have the power to chose our friends. I remember when I first became a pastor, I realized that I needed to learn a lot more than just theory. So I began to gather with established pastors and bishops. I went to where they were. I even went to closed meetings without permission, but since I was really hungry to spend time with wise, experienced pastors, I took the chance of being rejected and thrown out. To my surprise, they allowed me to be part of their gatherings. I have to tell you that it was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I learned so much in those years, just by spending time with wise men and women. Are you purposely seeking out “wise” friends? Do your friend make you wiser, or are you the smartest one in the room? If you are the smartest one in the room, you need to change that. You can’t learn anything if you don’t challenge yourself by purposely gathering with those that are already living and serving successfully in the place where you desire to be one day be. Make an assessment today of your “friends and associates,” and if you are in the company of fools, run out of there and get new friends and associates. Remember, hanging out with fools will get you in trouble, but spending time with those who are wise, will cause you to become wise yourself.

Proverbs 13:20 (ERV) says: Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.

He just hates this!

It is so unfortunate that humanity is so quick to enter into discord, contentions, arguments and conflicts. Right now, the political landscape is covered with hatred and dissension. Proverbs 10:12 (VOICE) says: “Hatred fuels dissension, but love calms all rebellions.” So the answer is turn from hatred, and love the way God loves. God loves even when the person doesn’t deserve it. Hatred and dissension is full of deceit. Proverbs 26:24 (NLT) says: “People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.” That’s why sometimes people will tell you things that sound really nice, but for whatever reason it doesn’t feel right. Deep down, you’ll sense that this person wasn’t sincere. When people choose to walk in hate, it causes them to lie, start arguments, begin conflicts among family and friends. God hates this kind of behavior. Proverbs 6:16-19 (EXB) says that God hates: “a witness who lies, and someone who starts ·arguments [conflicts; fights] among families [brothers; Ps. 133](v 19). Listen, even if one tries to hide hate, God will expose their hate in public, Proverbs 26:26 “While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.” Wherever you see hate, reject it. Refuse to be a part of it. Instead, choose love. God is love, and those who walk in love, are truly children of God (1 John 4:7)!

1 John 4: 7,8Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.