Stay away! Don’t get close! Don’t associate! Don’t befriend! The Book of Proverbs instructs us to avoid certain people in today’s reading. The danger is that these people’s lifestyle, ruin, and end will become ours in time. We are all more easily influenced than we realize.
First up are the corrupt or crooked. They walk a thorny and treacherous road, and those who value life will avoid them (Proverbs 22:5). It is better to live an honest and happy life than constantly watch your back and eventually get caught in your snare. Avoid this person!
Don’t befriend an angry person or associate with the hot-tempered (Proverbs 22:24–25)! Angry people produce angry people. They are full of pride, arrogance, and sinfulness (Proverbs 21:24, 29:22).
Don’t eat with the stingy (Proverbs 23:6–8)! They don’t care about you; you are only a unit of measure to them. They are very judgmental, always judging your actions. Don’t waste your time eating with them!
Don’t hang out with the drunkard or the glutton (Proverbs 23:20–21)! These people are on their way to poverty. The drunkard lives a hard life (Proverbs 23:29–35), and the glutton lacks self-control and is lazy. Everything falls apart around the lazy (Proverbs 24:30–34).
Lastly, don’t associate with the rebellious (Proverbs 24:21–22)! The disobedient are destructive, and destruction comes upon them suddenly and usually without remedy (Proverbs 6:14–15). Stay away from them!
It is better to associate, befriend, and eat with the humble, honest, generous, those of good reputation, the pure of heart, and those of gracious speech and character. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 22-24.