Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (NIV)
Almost always when my children would leave the house, I would say, “I love you”, then I would add, “Don’t do anything stupid”. The truth is a lot of the trouble we get into in this life comes from old-fashioned stupidity. Have you ever looked back on some decision or choice you made along the way and slapped your forehead and say, “How could I have been so stupid”? Recently someone told me of a line that his father would tell him whenever he was going out to play ball. “Watch out who you hang around with after the game boys because stupid rubs off”. Stupid rubs off. That’s a great line and it is so true. Stupid rubs off. We get easily influenced by the stupid decisions and choices of others. We easily go along with the crowd, even when we know better. That’s true not just of teenagers but adults as well. Don’t ever forget, profanity rubs off. Greed rubs off. Over-drinking rubs off. Anger rubs off. Grumbling and complaining rubs off. Maybe that’s why the Lord reminds us that we are to walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Choose to hang around people who bring out your best. Avoid people who tempt you to be your worst. Remember, stupid rubs off. Choose wisely who you are going to spend time with.
– Tim Thompson, Senior Pastor