Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 267 – Proverbs 13:20 – Walks With The Wise- Growing As Disciples
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Grow Wise
Do you want to grow wise? Who would say no to that? Who wouldn’t want to grow wise? You would be surprised. How so? There is a cost to growing wise. Growing wise will require some diligent effort. Growing wise does not come naturally. Growing wise does not happen automatically. How then does one grow wise? That is a very good question. That is the starting point. The first step in growing wise is to admit that you are not wise. I have no problem admitting my lack of wisdom. You will also need to come to understand that you have blind spots. I have no doubt that I have many blind spots. There are countless times that you have thought and spoken and acted foolishly without knowing it. It will be rare that you will clearly recognize your own blind spots and acts of foolishness. Oh, you will recognize your own blinds spots and acts of foolishness once you have suffered because of them. That is a painful process. I know that painful process quite well. Yes, you do. You also know how slow and painful that way is to grow wise. That is not my plan for you. That is not how I want you to grow wise. For that, I am thankful and grateful. The second step in growing wise is choosing your companions. How so? You can choose to be a companion of fools. That would be a very bad choice. A companion of fools suffers harm in two ways. First, whatever harm a fool brings into their life, will certainly spill over into your life, if you allow them to be your close companion. That is bad enough, but you will become a fool just by being a close companion of a fool. Their foolishness will rub off on you. Does this sound familiar? Too familiar, I need no convincing. Well then, who must you make your companions? I will choose to make wise people to be my companions. Good answer. Here is where the real effort is needed. You must work hard to build and maintain close relationships with wise companions. Not only will you need to work hard on these relationships, but you must be willing to practice what you hear and see and receive from these wise people, I will bring into your life. Will you do both? Will you build long and lasting relationships with wise companions? Will you hear and see and receive wisdom from wise people that I bring into your life? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, I know that I will never grow wise by living in isolation and remaining distant from other people. I also know that I will grow foolish if I allow myself to be a companion of fools. Help me to build relationships with wise people so that I can also grow wise. Amen
Key Question… When has a wise person told you what you didn’t want to hear but needed to hear?
Living It Out… Take time to cultivate lasting relationships with wise people so you will also be able to grow wise.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use wise people to help you to become wise in your thoughts, words, and actions.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how a wise person has helped you to think, and speak, and act wisely.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you walk with the wise so you can grow wise.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you take a day a week to rest so the Lord can revive, refresh, and restore your soul.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 267 – Proverbs 13-20 – He Who Walks With The Wise – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide
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