This week we’re considering
Five Life-Changing Questions
(4) Is This a Healthy Relationship?
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
—Proverbs 13:20
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, widely considered Germany’s greatest literary figure, said, “Tell me who you spend time with, and I will tell you who you are.”
You may think you’re strong enough to buck the pull of the profligate, but that’s naïve. The apostle Paul said it this way: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1 Cor 15:33 ESV).
The words and actions of those you spend time with influence your disposition, decisions, and direction.
The character of your companions rubs off on you, for good or bad: work behind the perfume counter, and you’ll smell like perfume; work in the fish market, and you’ll smell like fish.
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God” (Ps 1:1 TLB).
Reputation is established
by the company you keep.