Together in Christ: 'By the Company They Keep' — Proverbs 29:10

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.

— Proverbs 29:10 NLT

Key Thought

My dad drilled a principle into me over the years, repeating it regularly. That principle is "You can tell the values of people by the quality of the people with whom they keep company." Versions of this saying appear in multiple languages across multiple centuries, indicating its inherent truth and value. The point of each version is essentially the same: You can know people's values by noticing the type of people they keep as a regular circle of friends.

The Holy Spirit reminds us that blameless people — people of high moral standing seeking to live godly lives — do not keep the company of those who are bloodthirsty, immoral, and violent people. However, good and upright people seek each other out and find friendship, fellowship, and companionship in each other. The New Testament says it this way:

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." [1]

We should choose the kind of folks we associate with and build friendships based on the godly character of those folks and the qualities we want to develop in our lives. Our friendships will inevitably shape us. [2]

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV.
[2] Proverbs 27:17.

Today's Prayer

Father, please give me the spiritual wisdom to build my closest friendships with those people who will influence me to become more like Jesus. Use me to find people who need friends who will lead them closer to Jesus. I know, YHWH [A] my God, that I need godly friends who have a passion for Jesus. I also realize that I need to reach out and befriend others who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. O Spirit of the Living God, fill me, guide me, and help me discern the people of faith I need as my friends and the people needing faith who need my influence. I want You to use me redemptively, Lord Jesus, while making me wise in my choices for companions and friends. Amen.

[A] This is the Hebrew covenant name for God that His people are to use forever. It is written with four unpointed consonants — YHWH. Out of reverence and based on the third commandment in Exodus 20:7, the Jewish people chose not to say it. In our Bibles, different translations often indicate YHWH by using all capitals, as in Lord or I Am, or using Yahweh, the Eternal, or Jehovah. Exodus 3:1-17 is the background where God identified Himself in this way.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 5:3-16
  • 2 Peter 1:3-7; Galatians 5:22-23

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Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 29:10 NLT — The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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