Walk With The Wise

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)

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

Proverbs 13:20 (AMP)

He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.

Let’s establish this together. According to scripture, a fool is someone who says in their heart, there is no God (Psalms 14:1).

The scripture communicates many things;

·       Power of Influence

-Note that it says when you walk with the wise, you become “wise”, not “wiser”. By implication, prior to keeping company with the wise, you were unwise. Your choice of a wise companion is so powerful such that it changes your level.

-When it comes to changing levels from being wise to wiser, you need instruction.

Provers 9:9 (NLT)

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

-It will profit you to walk with the wise. Amen!

·       Power Of Choice and Outcome

-This verse communicates options and consequences; “companion of the wise which leads to being wise” and “companion of fools which leads to suffering harm”.

-We continue to say this; companionship is a choice and always will be.

·       Power of Destiny
-Your choice will eventually determine where you end.

-You have the power to determine the direction of your life.

-Do not abandon the direction of your life to another person.

·       Power of Impartiality

-The scripture says “whoever”; it is not for a select few.

-Meaning, we have equal opportunities. So we cannot base the outcome of our lives to chance, but rather to our choices.

-Choose correctly.

Companionship is Seasonal & Godly

·       We ought to get to a place whereby we settle it within us that companionship is seasonal and godly. Seasonal because, changes will be experienced that will require adjustments, new skills, new approaches, etc. Godly because, it is relationship based and "relationship" is God’s idea and design and in order for us to succeed, we ought to be spirit led even in our companionship relationships. Amen!

Previously, we had examined the separation of John Mark from Paul and Barnabas. And later, the separation of Paul and Barnabas. When we get to a place where we live in the reality that companionships are seasonal and godly as we have seen in scriptures many times, we will keep a godly attitude even as we move on knowing that for as long as seasons remain, the Lord might cause our paths to meet again for a different assignment. Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark worked together during a missionary journey and were later separated.

Then came another season whereby Paul and John Mark had to work together. We know this because Paul refers to John Mark as his coworker in his epistle to Philemon as recorded in Philemon 1:24.

This same John Mark is also referred to as a helpful person by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:11(NIV). Paul, speaking to Timothy his son in the Lord says, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry (2 Timothy 4:11 NIV).

In conclusion, we will say this, as you get wiser in your companionship relationships, carefully make decisions. Always remember the following;

- do not discredit a person just because you do not get along with the person during a particular season. Paul did not discredit Barnabas neither did Barnabas discredit Paul.

- disapprove of the character or behavior that the person portrays which is not godly, however, do your best to not get into disagreements with the person. When John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas, Paul referring to that incident said to Barnabas, he did not think it wise to go on a trip to visit the believers with John Mark. Paul disapproved of John Mark’s character yet, he did not get into any disagreements with John Mark.

- do not compromise your values and standards just to accommodate mediocrity from another person. Paul was not going to stoop for disloyalty, lack of integrity and lack of purpose and focus from any source. Paul had values and standards and he stood for what he believed despite the odds.

- accept the fact that you might and will be misunderstood for maintaining very exceptional standards and an excellent spirit, however, keep praying for others so that their eyes might open up to the reality of how to do relationships better. Amen!

- the people who show sign of immaturity today may later grow up to have exceptional values and do exploits in the kingdom. John Mark is the author of the book of Mark (New Testament). Amen!

Directions Are Guaranteed

We are introduced to Elijah who told King Ahab;

1 Kings 17:1 (NKJV)

…As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:2 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:8 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

Emphasis Mine

On 3 different occasions, the word of the Lord is mentioned and in every season, the purpose of the word that came was specific

In the first verse, the word of God spoken was a declaration over a situation. In verse 2 and 8, the word of the Lord that came were specific instructions for Elijah. In all 3 verses, the word of God changed the direction of activities for the season. Amen!

Elijah declared that there will be no rain as surely as God lives after which the Lord instructed Elijah on where to go right after the drought was declared. Then, when the brook dried up, the word of the Lord came to Elijah again instructing him to go the village of Zarephath.

As we read this chapter, many things come to light;

1)     Selflessness – Elijah comes across as someone who understands that His life is not his own. Meaning, his very existence was for God. Elijah was so dependent on God to a place where he only moved from one point to the other based on the word. Unless we develop a selfless attitude, it will be impossible to abandon the direction of our lives to God. Amen!

2)     Focus – It takes a certain level of spiritual attentiveness and alertness to hear the voice of the Father. We can agree that Elijah remained focused evidenced by his attentiveness and alertness to spiritual matters. When God spoke, he heard and acted immediately. Also, at no point was Elijah confused neither is it recorded that he panicked because of the unfavorable conditions surrounding him at the time. Therefore, his obedience to God was not dependent how favorable or not the conditions were, around him.

3)     Trust - His trust in God was expressed through his obedience to God’s word/ and instruction for the season. In verse 5, the Bible says “So Elijah did as the Lord told him…”,  In verse 10, after the instruction from God to Elijah, the Bible records “So he went to Zarephath…”. Amen! So he trusted God consistently.

It is best for you to allow the seasons of your life to be determined by God’s word. That is the lifestyle of the Godly. Let go of control over your life. Surrender your entire being to his leadership and direction and you would not regret it.

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - The Requirements

Acts 13:13 (NKJV)

 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

We are not told why John Mark made this decision, however, it is clear that prior to this occasion, he kept company with Paul and Barnabas and at this point, he chose to go a separate way from them.

Acts 15:36-41 (NKJV)

Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Emphasis Mine

Quite a lot could be learned from these scriptures about companionship. Amen!

·       Companionship requires decision making by the people involved.

-John Mark made a decision to go his separate way for reasons untold.

- Paul made a decision to not go with John Mark to the city although Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them. This affected Paul and Barnabas’ relationship.

-As a result, Paul and Barnabas made a decision to go separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.

So, we see that a series of companionship decisions were made within these few verses.

·       Companionship is seasonal.

-We are not told why John Mark left Paul and Barnabas. However, for a season he served with them.

-Also, Paul and Barnabas served together for a season before going separate ways.

-Their separation led to a dawning of a new season for Paul and Silas. Subsequently, Paul and Silas were joined by Timothy and Luke.

·       Companionship requires agreement.

Acts 15: 37-39 (NLT)

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.

Emphasis Mine

Amos 3:3 (NLT)

Can two people walk together
    without agreeing on the direction?

Emphasis Mine

·       Companionship should be purpose-driven.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

This scripture insinuates that the purpose of their companionship was to work together. Paul, being purpose driven, did not think it wise to keep company with someone who did not seem to respect the reason for their companionship.

·       Companionship requires wisdom.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

·       Companionship requires loyalty.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

The fact that Paul and Barnabas were deserted by John Mark suggests that they were abandoned. Possibly, John Mark was not loyal to this course.

·       Companionship requires communication and unity.

Acts 15:36 (NIV)

Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”

Emphasis Mine

Paul communicated with Barnabas. And there was a sense of unity of purpose in their companionship. 

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Speech and Action

As we continue to look at Saul, we can see that his speech and actions changed by virtue of his companionship. The bible says, ^“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God - Acts 9:20 (NKJV).”

Luke 6:45b (NKJV)

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Emphasis Mine

Our speech and actions tell on us all the time.

This scripture is a good example of scriptures to use when determining whom you should keep company with. Have practical criteria of whom and what you will like to keep company with. Listen to people. Watch people. It is that easy. Your confusion will be resolved.

I call on you this day to make up your mind; make a quality decision to purposefully choose your companions. Do not associate with any and everybody just because you feel like doing so. Or just because you will benefit from them. Amen!

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Impact

-Your companionship relationship

·       Has the potential of impacting you immediately.

·       Has the potential of having a lasting impact in your life.

There is a tendency to embrace companionship casually with a mindset that “I will not be affected or influenced”. We are looking at a case in point right here and we thank God that it was a quality decision. Saul chose the companionship of the disciples after his conversion and we are told that “immediately” he preached the gospel in the synagogues. Let’s read this together;

Acts 9:20 (NKJV)

Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Emphasis Mine

If you read further, Saul never looked back from this point. Now, picture a companion that could possibly lead you downhill. Imagine yourself embracing this relationship casually with a mindset that it will not have an impact on you, but later discover that certain aspects of your life are unfolding negatively as a result of the company you chose. I bet you will not be pleased. So, this is why we previously examined that the aftermath of companionship could be immediate or lasting.

So, make a decision about who and what to keep company with; understand that it is a choice and remember that the outcome could be immediate and if not, down the road, the impact will be felt. Amen!

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Choice

We have educated ourselves through the scriptures on the various ways we can keep company with the Word. Just a brief recap on how we keep company with the Word;

-Studying the Word – and we gave some preparation tips.

-Meditating on the Word – studying the Word gives you substantial materials to meditate upon.

-Listening to the Word being Preached and Thought – we emphasized that doing and preaching go together. So, the lifestyle of the person you listen to matters.

-Reading of the Word – and we emphasized on the benefits of public reading of the Word.

-Watching others preach the Word – We emphasized that what we permit our eyes to see, influences our lives.

-Teaching and Speaking the Word – In this context, we said teaching will mean sharing the revelations you receive from the Word with the purpose of being a blessing to the person. For speaking, your words and actions should synchronize every day, every time. Amen!

Companionship is purposeful because it is something you can choose to do or undo.

Acts 9:17-20 (NKJV)

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Acts 9 talks about Saul’s conversion. Saul had a life-changing encounter and his name is later referred to Paul in Acts 13:9. However, at this point when we meet Him, the scripture refers to him as Saul. What stood out to me as I studied this passage of scripture is that immediately after the life-changing encounter, the very first thing Saul did was change his companions. Yes, he did. Great decision.

So much can be learned from this one action of Saul.

-Companionship is by choice. Whom you choose to spend your time with or associate with is your choice. I can understand how challenging most situations can be and an individual may resolve to saying that “I do not have a choice”. Listen! You have a choice, let no one disarm you of something that has been freely made available to you by the Father. You have willpower. Saul had a choice to join his previous companions but he did not. And the reason I say so is because, the people he now chose to keep company with fell under the category of people whom he was actively persecuting, but he still chose to spend days with them, according to scripture.

Saul had reasons to say that, I have no friends so I might as well go back and join the former associates because what is the possibility that the disciples will not revenge on me?