Walk with the Wise

At Fair Havens, Paul gave the men an honest warning (Acts 27:10). But “the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul” (27:11).

Whose words? Every day you choose whose words to follow. The Bible has a lot to say about that choice.

Walking together. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). A companion is someone you spend a lot of time with.

You become like your friends. When you walk with someone, you go where they go. Over time, you begin to think and act like them.

What wise means. In Proverbs, a wise person is not just smart. A wise person loves God and lives His way.

What a fool is. A fool in Proverbs is not someone who has trouble at school. A fool is someone who will not listen to God.

Listen at home. “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke” (13:1). To heed means to listen and obey. A scoffer makes fun of good advice.

A fountain. “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death” (13:14). Wise teaching is like fresh water that keeps you alive.

Paul’s companions. Paul walked with people who loved God. Luke and Aristarchus traveled with him (27:2). They learned from him, and they helped him too.

Choose wise friends. Look for friends who love Jesus and help you do right. Then be that kind of friend for someone else.

Small choices. Choosing friends starts small. It is about where you sit at lunch, whom you listen to and whose jokes you laugh at.

A friend who pulls you wrong. If a friend wants you to do something wrong, or to keep a secret that feels wrong, tell a parent or a trusted grown-up.

The wisest of all. Jesus is wiser than anyone. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

The gospel. None of us has always listened to God. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

What to do. This week, walk with Jesus by reading His Word and talking to Him. Then choose friends who walk with Him too.

At Fair Havens there was a choice to make, and there were different voices. In the end, “the majority advised to set sail from there also” (Acts 27:12).

Lots of voices. You hear many voices too: friends, games, videos, teachers and parents. How do you know which ones to trust?

Listen first. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13). Folly means foolishness. A wise person listens all the way to the end before answering.

Hungry to learn. “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (18:15). Prudent means careful and sensible. A wise ear is always ready to learn.

Two sides. “The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him” (18:17). The first story you hear can sound right, until you hear the other side.

A fool’s way. “A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart” (18:2). A fool would rather talk than learn.

Quick to listen. It is easy to want to talk first. But a wise person waits, listens and then answers kindly.

Respect the people in charge. Julius was in charge of the prisoners. Paul gave his advice and left the choice with Julius. We can respect the people in charge and still listen carefully for what is true.

At home and school. Let a brother, sister or friend finish talking before you answer. When a parent warns you, listen all the way to the end.

Testing what you hear. God’s Word is the best test for every voice. If something goes against what God says, it is not wise, no matter how many people believe it.

Jesus’ voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). His voice is the one we can always trust.

The gospel. All of us have sinned by not listening to God. But God loves us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again, and everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

What to do. This week, practice listening. Let someone finish before you answer, and read a little of God’s Word each day.