Pro 13:20 | KingComments | STEP | This verse advises that we connect with the wise and not with the fools. Walking or be in company with the wise, will make us wise, for that is what we learn from them in our dealings with them. The second line of verse emphasizes the power of companionship. He who is a companion of fools “will suffer harm”, meaning he ends up as a fool. Examine who influences you, in what company you are. The effect shows it: “be wise” or “suffer harm”. What you deal with, you get infected with, so the saying goes. From what we do and what we say, it is clear who we spend the most time with. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals”” ( ). To “walk with” means to be in the company of. The first thing the father warns his son about is bad company ( ). This can be about people, but also about contacts through social media and consuming all kinds of movies and reading. Who has not gained other friendships after conversion? There is no longer a common interest with worldly friends after conversion. It inevitably leads to distance. The new friends form the Christian character of wisdom. This must remain so, because the danger of falling back into old friendships is there when dealing with the Lord weakens. It is important to walk with Him as the Wisdom and also to walk with those who associate with Him and are therefore wise. The advice is to walk with those of whom we know that God is with them (cf. ). The same goes for going to a church where people build each other up, where the members can all function according to their place in the body. The result then is that there will be spiritual growth toward independence. As a result, a person is later able to be a friend to others through whom they can become wise.

‏ Proverbs 13:20

To Walk With the Wise or With the Fools

This verse advises that we connect with the wise and not with the fools. Walking or be in company with the wise, will make us wise, for that is what we learn from them in our dealings with them. The second line of verse emphasizes the power of companionship. He who is a companion of fools “will suffer harm”, meaning he ends up as a fool. Examine who influences you, in what company you are. The effect shows it: “be wise” or “suffer harm”.

What you deal with, you get infected with, so the saying goes. From what we do and what we say, it is clear who we spend the most time with. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals”” (1Cor 15:33). To “walk with” means to be in the company of. The first thing the father warns his son about is bad company (Pro 1:10-11). This can be about people, but also about contacts through social media and consuming all kinds of movies and reading.

Who has not gained other friendships after conversion? There is no longer a common interest with worldly friends after conversion. It inevitably leads to distance. The new friends form the Christian character of wisdom. This must remain so, because the danger of falling back into old friendships is there when dealing with the Lord weakens. It is important to walk with Him as the Wisdom and also to walk with those who associate with Him and are therefore wise.

The advice is to walk with those of whom we know that God is with them (cf. Zec 8:23). The same goes for going to a church where people build each other up, where the members can all function according to their place in the body. The result then is that there will be spiritual growth toward independence. As a result, a person is later able to be a friend to others through whom they can become wise.