Wise people think before they act; fools don't—and even brag about their foolishness. An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing. If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.
Proverbs 13:16-21 NLT
Every one of us has at least some areas of our lives that are foolish, if not even evil. We are all works in progress.
Wise + Foolish = Parental relationship
Irresponsible people seek out overly responsible people and dump their responsibilities on them. You know you have picked up a relationship like this when you are doing for someone things they should be doing for themselves.
Wise + Evil = Distant relationship
When an evil person seeks to build a close relationship with a wise person, the wise person maintains the distance. Aided by the discernment of the Holy Spirit, Jesus kept His distance from evil people, and we should do the same.
Foolish + Foolish = Co-dependent relationship
When two foolish people come together in a close relationship, they multiply their folly. Jesus was friends with foolish people and even attended their parties but only to help make them wise. He never acted foolishly or sinfully.
Foolish + Evil = Abusive relationship
Foolish people are often gullible and vulnerable. Because they do not deal with reality or have much of a plan for their lives, they are easy prey for evil people. Sadly, foolish people allow this kind of abusive relationship to continue for far too long and pay a steep price.
Evil + Evil = Dangerous relationship
When two evil people come together, they are like two barrels on a gun. If you get in front of them, you are likely to get shot. United by their common goal, when two evil people come together, they make it their life's mission to do the same thing as the devil—steal, kill, and destroy.
Wise + Wise = Healthy relationship
When two wise people walk humbly together, they make the good times twice as good and the bad times half as bad, as the old saying goes. Proverbs 13:20 speaks of this kind of relationship saying, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise."
How about you?
Which of the six kinds of relationships do you most commonly find yourself in?
From: Facing Folly And Evil With The Spirit's Wisdom By Mark Driscoll
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Listen/Watch this message from Paster Andy Stanely - Friends influence the direction of your life, but what do you do when they’re leading you somewhere you don’t want to end up?
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