Are Your Friends Led by the World or the Word?

by Rick Warren — March 16, 2019

“Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools” (Proverbs 13:20 CEV).

One of the things that causes people to miss God’s plan is peer pressure. Most of us know what that was like as a kid or teenager, but that pressure actually continues into adulthood. There’s plenty of bad advice floating around out there, and too often we feel pressured to follow it.

Proverbs 13:20 says, “Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools” (CEV). You can’t soar with the eagles if you’re running with the turkeys, so choose your friends wisely. If you keep company with wise friends, you’re going to become wise.

We all worry about air pollution and water pollution. Have you ever worried about mind pollution? If you want to follow God’s direction, make sure your advice is from the right source.

The Bible says in 1 John 3:7, “Do not let anyone lead you the wrong way! Christ is righteous. So to be like Christ a person must do what is right” (NCV).

The difference in a thermometer and a thermostat is that a thermometer reflects the temperature of the environment and a thermostat sets the temperature of the environment. Every day, you’re faced with a decision: Are you going to be a thermostat or a thermometer?

Talk It Over

  • Who are the people who have the most influence on you?
  • Do you think God wants you to be friends with unbelievers? Why or why not?
  • How can a person who is quieter or less outspoken than others help set the temperature of his or her environment?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.