Tell me again, 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.

You might only have one or two of these.

There are powerful principles in the Scriptures. One of them states that the company you keep can help you or destroy you. Throughout the years, you will meet many people, and have many acquaintances, but very few friends. Always remember that many times, God places something you need in someone else. there are some answers that you can only get through quality relationships. This is one of the reasons why you must always value good relationships. True friends provide many wonderful things, such as: affirmation, enjoyment, fellowship, additional family, help when needed, wisdom, warmth, laughter, prayer, sympathy, empathy a shoulder to cry on, and many other amazing benefits. One is rich who has good friends. So value your true friends, but always make sure that you don’t open up to everyone right away, because most will not know how to value what you bring to the table. Ask God today to give you discernment to know who your true friends are, and who you should stay away from.

Proverbs 12:26 – The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.