Proverbs 13:20
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Just about everyone has heard the old English proverb, “He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.” If not, let me explain. This proverbs involves two things: a person and a dog. What is the action that is involved: they are very close to each other. So close in fact (“lies down with”) that, the fleas that are on the dog would move to the person.
So what does Proverbs 13:20 have to do with fleas? The answer: Association.
If the person was not associated with the dog then there is no possible way for that person to get fleas from that dog.
Solomon is explaining to us that we must be careful who we associate with in our lives. He is telling us that we need to be very careful who we have as our friends and those we depend on.
This verse is simply saying that we need to make sure that we associate with wise men and not with foolish companions.
As I was preparing for this post, I came across this saying,
“Your friends are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down” – Author Unknown
I am asking you today, based on Proverbs 13:20, are the people that you associate with bringing you closer to God or taking you further away from Him?
I love the way the New Living Translation says this verse, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Psalms 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…”
So, do you have fleas? Are you associating with people that are getting you into trouble? If so, it’s time to “de-bug or de-fool” your life and seek out people of wisdom. Just as the verse says, “walk with the wise and become wise”!
Lord, help us to be careful who we associate with in our lives. We know that we are to be salt and light in this world, but help us to make sure we seek the counsel of wise men and women and not those who will lead us into trouble. Give us wisdom each day to seek out those who give wisdom based on your Word.
Folk Wisdom:
- “Tell me your companions, and I will tell you what you are.”
- “He that lives with cripples learns to limp” (Dutch Proverb)
- “He that goes with wolves learns to howl” (Spanish Proverb)
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Proverbial Thought 
November 10th, 2012 at 1:52 am
Great post Jason. I remember when our old Border Collie was kind enough to find some fleas and share them with the family. It was quite a challenge getting rid of them. Not an experience I would wish to repeat.
November 10th, 2012 at 10:51 am
David, that is a great point about it being quite a challenge to get rid of them! Apply that to this verse, and I am sure it is hard “de-bugging or de-fooling” one’s life but it will be so worth it in the end! Thanks for the great thought!
November 17th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I hate fleas. Did you know fleas can survive up to 2 years in their cocoons waiting for prey? Did you know it is practically impossible to get rid of a flea infestation where there are hardwood floors? I hate fleas. – Thoughts from a recovering exterminator.