Rev. Don Campbell
Proverbs 22-24
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 10, 2019
“EVIL COMPANIONS”
Paul seems to be quoting unnamed authors when to show the folly of denying the resurrection he said: “And if there is no resurrection, ‘Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’ Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all. (1 Corinthians 15:32-34, NLT). Solomon gives basically the same advice in today’s reading. I have selected three of his warnings.
Avoid angry people. Paul said that we can be angry without sinning and cautions not to let the sun go down on our anger. Even Jesus got angry. But there is a difference between situational anger and the angry personality. One person described it this way: “If anger were mileage, I’d be a very frequent flyer, right up there in first class.” Solomon said, “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways” (Proverbs 22:24-25). Anger is contagious, as seen in demonstrations that turn into riots or lynch mobs.
Avoid the drunks. I have never been drunk, but I have seen enough of them in the military and counseled enough of them who were struggling with addiction that I can relate to the picture Solomon paints:
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.
You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.
“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I must have another drink” (Proverbs 23:29-35).
Avoid rebels. “My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?” (Proverbs 24:21-22). There is, perhaps, a little rebellion in every person, especially during the adolescent years when youth are seeking to establish their own identity. However, some never seem to grow up, but go through life rebelling not only against society but also against God. Samuel rebuked king Saul for his rebellion against God: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols” (1 Samuel 15:23).
CONNECTIONS
1. Jesus Christ came to save sinner, and he ate with all kinds of them. The difference between choosing evil people as companions and walking among them is found in one word: MISSION. How do the passages show this truth? (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
2. What does James say about friendship (James 4:4)?
