He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. ~Proverbs 13:20
Do not be misled. “Bad company corrupts good character.” ~1 Corinthians 15:33
Keep reminding your people of these things. Warn them, before God against quarreling about words. It’s of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. ~2 Timothy 2:14-16
In the recovery community, those in recovery will say that one of the hardest, but best decisions they made, to help them on the path to recovery, was to break ties with their old life. This would mean that they chose to stop frequenting their old hang outs, but most of all, they would mean no longer hanging around their old friends, for a time, at the beginning of their recovery process.
This is why Kathy and I often say that those in recovery are some of the bravest people we know. They are willing to face honestly what isn’t working and care enough to change what needs to change to get better. What we appreciate even more are those who are further along the path of recovery and now want to take what they have learned to influence others along the same path. This is discipling.
They know how miserable they were. They know that there is hope for a better life and they care too much about others to leave them to discover the way on their own. “Those who walk with the wise grow wise.” The wise will lead others along good paths. They will model wise decision-making skills. They will model self-discipline and self-control. They present an example of hope, the encouragement that a wise life is possible. They put on display the reward of living wisely that can spur others on to do the same.
“A companion of fools suffers harm.” Those in recovery have learned that lesson too well and may bear the scars of their foolish choices for the rest of their lives. Paul was very wise. Timothy walked with Paul for a long time while Paul was on mission to establish bodies of believers wherever he went. Through example, and I’m sure much conversation, Paul’s wisdom was passed along to Timothy who was now serving as a pastor in his own right.
Paul’s letters to Timothy were, in part, instructions to this younger pastor on how to now pass that wisdom along to his congregation so that they, in turn could be wise examples in their spheres of influence. “Warn them, before God, against quarreling about words. It’s of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” Quarrels are not a good way to pass on wisdom. Quarrels usually result in building walls and losing the influence you had hoped to have. Quarrels are tiring, especially to those who happen to be observers and have to listen. Quarrels are not God’s way to make a difference, but kindness is.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Work on the skill of handling God’s Word correctly. Do not use it as a club or a way to create unnecessary divisions. Most of all, demonstrate wisdom by putting what is learned in His Word into practice for others to see. Don’t be ashamed of His Word and hide it from others but put it on display, not just in what you say, but in how you live. It will draw others along and God’s wisdom will begin to influence them. This, God will approve.
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.” Speak when there is something worth hearing so that those walking along side will be blessed, encouraged, and enriched. Godless chatter is more like gossip, speaking without thinking or making noise just to hear yourself speak. It’s dangerous because someone may be listening who takes what they are hearing to heart and either spreads it to others or allows it to influence them for ill. We may be talking in the presence of those who do not yet know the faith or are newly come to the faith and do not yet know how to discern truth. We need to be wise in how we conduct ourselves to set the best example for those walking with us.
By the way, though people in recovery change who they hang out with, to walk with the wise who are in recovery, it does not mean they never see their old friends again. It just means they are more careful what they do when they are with them. Jesus ate with sinners. But he did not sin with them. One of the challenges the modern church faces is the tendency to change friends so completely that in six months, a new Christian may have no non-Christians fiends to lead!
When I talk about recovery with some people, I get the impression that Christians believe that recovery is about overcoming substance abuse addictions. Christians who are functioning reasonably well in society think they don’t need recovery. In truth, however, I wish that Christians saw themselves along the road of recovery from sin. I often say that we are all addicted to sin. Discipleship is about “recovering” the life God really intends for us to live. Also, I wish that Christians had the same desire to reach back and help disciple another sinner the way that those in recovery do.
Those who are Christians have gained in wisdom from their walk with Christ. Just as bad company can corrupt, His company purifies, but not just for us alone. We also do well to take Paul’s advice to walk the way of wisdom to influence those around us to do the same. We’ve talked before about how we are all influencers, leaders of something. We need to take that position seriously to influence for the good, those who still need to join the group in recovery from sin.
Prayer: Father thank You for setting me free from my addictions to sin. I confess that I do still sin, but I am grateful for the truth that I do not have to. I pray for substance addicts who must suffer painful withdrawals in order to break free of their addictions. But when I think about it I realize that there are some sins I keep because I do not want to suffer the loss of that “pleasure.” But the gospel gives me strength to overcome! In Christ I am a forgiven child of God, growing up in holy living. Thank you for the community of believers that helps me. May I be a help to them too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: Chain Breaker
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