Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 13:20

by David Chadwick

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but if you walk with fools, you will become foolish. 1 Corinthians 15:33 has a similar teaching, which says, “Bad company ruins good morals.” If you have never heard this principle before, hear it today: who you choose to work with, spend time with, marry, and be influenced by really, really matters.

Once again, I have to give a nod back to my dad, who said it this way, “Your friends are like elevators; they will either take you up or bring you down.” What a profound truth this is!

It is so important to be discerning and careful as you choose companions. The book of Proverbs is so clear. One option will make you wiser, and the other brings destruction and harm.

The people you keep company with will either propel you toward greatness or tear you down. Your friends and your companions will either make you foolish or wise. There really is not an in-between, lukewarm option to this principle.

For those of you who are parents, you should seek to implement this truth with your kids and teens. Peer pressure is real, and you, as parents, have every right and responsibility to guide your children in choosing their friends. Intervene when necessary! Talk to them. Be honest with them about what you notice in other people. Use Proverbs 13:20 as a guide to help teach your children this very important life lesson so that they can lead lives of wisdom.

Too often, parents hesitate to interfere with their children’s decision-making because they don’t know how it will be received. But healthy stewardship of the children God has given you is not control. Remember you have been called to lead your children in the wisdom and instruction of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:19).

No matter what age you are, walk with wise people. Avoid fools. And encourage others to do the same. This principle will keep all of us safe and growing in wisdom.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 13:15

by David Chadwick

“Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

Proverbs 13:15

Common sense is severely lacking in our current culture. One of the most dangerous parts of our modern society is that everyone is a self-proclaimed expert, but many lack common sense. There are lots of opinions, little wisdom. Many voices, few sages.

If you spend 5 minutes on social media of any kind, you quickly see that there is no shortage of thoughts circulating. In fact, so many that I think many people are always internalizing, never applying.

The practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is imperative to learn and implement; one of those truths being that it is highly valuable to know the right thing to do simply because it’s obvious. Good sense, or common sense, is not just a good skill; it’s a biblical skill. Treachery, on the other hand, is a destructive habit, full of deception with an aim to betray.

Where common sense wins favor and grants advancement, treachery eventually brings ruin. One of my favorite quotes says, “Time and truth travel together.” With enough patience and time, deception will be revealed. The truth always wins! And good sense is one of the best ways to see truth come to light.

I’m once again reminded of some of my dad’s wise words when he said that he often thought that great prayer was really just good old common sense. Knowing what makes sense in a situation and partnering with God to pray it into reality. I can see why he said this. When you have good common sense, you know what to pray for, and will see God’s mighty answers.

Therefore, see common sense. Seek to understand what the obvious right thing to do is. Then pray for that. And watch God work.

After all, good sense wins favor and, I think, the blessing of God.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 26:17

by David Chadwick

“Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.”

Proverbs 26:17

Today’s proverb gives some very wise advice: Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs. You’ll often get caught in the middle, and your own life will be hurt or even ruined. One or both of the parties involved might even turn against you!

A meddler puts their nose where it doesn’t belong. Proverbs compares it to someone who grabs a passing dog by the ears. Can you picture the end result of that decision? A lot of thrashing, frustration, and chaos.

A great biblical example of this truth is found in the story of King Josiah. God blessed him because he was a righteous and good king who led well. But he got caught in the crosshairs of a battle between Egypt and Babylon. Egypt’s King Neco was taking his army north to battle against Babylon. King Neco told King Josiah that his battle was not with Israel, and he promised to pass through Israel without any intention of harm to Josiah’s people (2 Chronicles 35).

Instead of staying out of the fray of the fight, Josiah decided to take on King Neco in battle. He put on his armor and led his people into battle and ended up being killed. Had he refrained from meddling in something that wasn’t his business, he would have lived.

Dear friends, you are not meant to fight every battle. My dad used to say to me often, “Choose your battles wisely. Not every battle is yours.” These were such wise words from my dad, and his words perfectly aligned with Solomon’s wisdom. It is one of the most important lessons to learn.

Every situation that arises is not your mountain to climb. Too many people get themselves in trouble when they think they are supposed to fix every problem that pops up. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to put your head down, stay in your lane, and let God be God.

Surrender. Let go of control. This puts God back in the driver’s seat. And choose faith! Today and every day until Jesus returns!