Shoot Straight with Me

Read Proverbs 13:1-25

13. People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
14. The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15. A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
16. Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
17. An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18. If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
19. It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
21. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous. Proverbs 13:13-21

What kind of advice do you get from your friends? Are you satisfied with it? Do you sometimes sense that some of your problems baffle your friends, leaving them unable to offer wise and insightful counsel? You may even wonder where you would turn if you ever needed counseling for a true problem.

Proverbs 13 contains many helpful words of advice about choosing friends and how to benefit from the people who walk the same path. You’re right if you’ve been thinking you need some wise friends, friends who can guide you along the way. Here’s how to get them.

There’s much more here on several other subjects, including ways to benefit from your words; the benefits of being poor and the hazards of having wealth; a warning about pride; and the importance of disciplining children.

When seeking friends, most people look for those who make them feel good about themselves. But that’s not the most important ingredient in friendship. In fact, people who make us feel good about ourselves may not be the best influence on us, and they may not have our best interests at heart.

Our friends help determine the direction that our lives take. If our friends are wise, we will be too. If they are fools, so will we be (Proverbs 13:20). Thus, we need to choose our friends very carefully. We should seek out friends who can advise us, set an example for us, and help us stay on the right track. Some of them should be older, and the best ones should be wiser.

Seek out wise people who have experienced life—and have succeeded. Seek out friends who are not afraid to tell you the truth, who will move you in God’s direction.