Day 24 – Read Proverbs 24
How Do We Make Wise Decisions with Our Relationships?
Throughout our lives, we meet many different types of people. Sometimes we experience friendships that encourage us, and other times we find ourselves in relationships that pull us away from God. When we read Proverbs, we see the teacher repeatedly returning to how we should deal with people who seek their own glory rather than God’s.
In Proverbs 24, we have several examples of sinful life choices that keep us away from God. Verse 1 tells us not to envy people who walk in perpetual sin—or to even desire their company. They actively plot evil and they stir up trouble. They mock, they have nothing of value to share, and they start fights with no guidance. They scheme, wait in ambush, and ultimately have a dark future. Their rebellion will not go unnoticed by the King of kings.
Don't Be Distracted by Sinful Relationships
If we’re not careful about these relationships, they can drag us down. They can distract us from God’s path and plan for us and fill our hearts with things that don’t deserve our time or concern. No pathway with these kinds of people leads to life. Wisdom says to choose a different way.
We’ve all seen what happens with people who thrive on drama, and that’s not where we want to be. We’ve seen what happens with people when they expect everything to be handed to them (verses 30-34) and how draining those relationships can be.
Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. – Proverbs 24:7 NLT
Instead, verses 3-4 say, “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge, its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables” (NLT). As Christians, we need to make sure we’re engaging with God in every way, and that includes the company we keep. C.S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
We need to operate with compassion (verses 11-12), doing whatever we can for people who suffer unjust treatment. We need to speak up when we see injustice, and share the Gospel with those who are staring death in the face. In so doing, we’re able to taste the sweetness God's wisdom has to offer (verses 13-14).
Dig Deeper
1. Do you have friends that tend to gossip, be involved in drama, or always seem stuck in the same old patterns? Pray for them, but choose to spend less time with them.
2. If you have children, talk with them (no matter how old they are), and ask them what kind of people encourage them the most. Then empower your children to inspire others with God’s wisdom.
