Proverbs 13:20b, Fool He Ends That Fool Befriends!

July 19, Proverbs 13:20b

1 Cor. 15:33-34; 2 Tim. 2:11-19 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9).

Fool He Ends That Fool Befriends!

A companion of fools shall be destroyed, shall smart for it (as in 11:15). The margin suggests be broken. It comes from a root meaning to be made wicked, and all who become wicked will suffer the consequences of that choice.

1. The Reason: Promising young people do not come to moral and spiritual destruction suddenly, but just step by little step. Gradually the horror of sin dies, the fear of God fades, and other idols take possession of their hearts. A pure stream running through a muddy Creek will soon become thick and muddy also. So evil companions will leave some of their corrupting influence behind to pollute even the purest morals. It is a fact that the beasts of the field do not become corrupted by wrong company. They stay with their own kind, and they live only in this world. Humans alone, destined for eternity, make this terrible mistake of running with the wrong kind. This warning comes that we might consider well how we begin, for that will certainly determine how we will end, unless God, in His mercy, turns our life around.

2. The Ruin: It often begins with the choice of the wrong friends. Doubtful associations begin. These new “friends” fascinate us. We admire them. We are ready to follow their every lead. We drop all we may be doing at their call. Warned, perhaps, by parents or others, that there is danger in this association, yet we will not heed the warning signals. We cannot bare the thought of being ignored by the “gang”. We would rather break with all others than tear ourselves from their “acceptance”. Many of us older ones have been there before you, young friends. We, too, have known the fascination of the “smart crowd,” and have tasted its powerful influences and felt its baneful consequences.

3. The Remedy: Heed, the warning of your family and friends who may be speaking from bitter experience. Many of us now continually thank God that He brought us up out of an horrible pit and out of the miry clay and set our feet upon a rock and established our goings (Ps 40:2). Above all, hear this warning from Heaven. In this regard, we all have need of wisdom, and, the Bible says, Ask and you will receive. “No one ever made this request [for guidance], in simplicity to God, and came away without an answer” (Arnot). If you now choose to go with bad friends, it is not because you asked and received no answer. No, it is because you preferred to go your own way heedless of the outcome, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. This is God’s voice, and He speaks to you in mercy. Hear Him while there is still time! Your steps are now on the slippery slope to destruction, backward and downward. How much better to make the painful break now. Your soul’s safety is at stake. Jesus said it would be better to lose an arm or an eye here in order to enter into heaven, than having a whole body to be cast into Hell.

Thought: Brilliant, but wandering stars have led many astray.

Prayer: Lord, keep me from such harmful fellowship (Eph. 5:11).