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There is a modern saying that parents sometimes use with their children, “you are who you hang with.” It is a rewording of this Proverb from approximately 1000 BC, but it is no less true today.  Group dynamics research shows that to belong socially we take on the existing attitudes and behaviours of those we want to be around. There are times in our lives when this is a more powerful motivator than even our better knowledge from previous experience and/or education.

The second aspect of this Proverb can be heard daily in the news where ‘peer pressure’ is given as a justification for decisions made that have led to disastrous consequences. The Hebrew word translated ‘destroyed’ also means ‘broken.’

Apostle Paul brought this understanding into the era of Grace as part of his first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 5:11, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” However, he also acknowledged the impossibility of separating from all corruption. 1 Corinthians 5:10, “Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.” We should all understand that these traits are all aspects of our human nature and, therefore, amazingly easy to follow.

Logically, from our text above, our decision is to choose to belong to groups that are positive, beneficial, and hence lead to growth rather than destruction. The measure to help us decide where to align our belonging is given by King Solomon above. Only those using true wisdom will help us to grow!

Of course, Job eloquently asked our next question when he struggled with the advice of his peers. Job 28:20, “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?” He then answered his own question in Job 28:23, “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” Thankfully, God has a desire to share this with us. Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

The Holy Spirit has gathered this wisdom in the form of God’s Word for us in the Holy Bible. Those who study and believe in this word will be valuable companions to us.