Yes, associating with wise people is crucial because you become like those you spend time with, and it leads to wisdom and life.
The Bible, as Les Feldick explains, warns that evil communications corrupt good manners and that walking with the wise makes you wise, while being a companion of fools leads to destruction. Les applies this to everyday friendships, church fellowship, and spiritual growth, emphasizing that our companions shape our character and destiny.
Proverbs 13:20 — This verse directly contrasts the outcome of walking with wise men versus keeping company with fools, providing the core biblical principle.
1 Corinthians 15:33 — This verse warns that bad company corrupts good morals, supporting the need for wise associations.
The Bible teaches that our companions influence our character and destiny. Proverbs 13:20 states, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." This shows a clear contrast: wisdom comes from associating with the wise, while destruction follows the company of fools. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." This reinforces that even good people can be corrupted by bad company. The principle extends to spiritual fellowship, as 2 Corinthians 6:14 asks, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" This emphasizes separation from those who could lead us astray.
Les Feldick stresses that a person becomes like those with whom they spend the most time. He points to 1 Corinthians 15:33, warning that "evil communications corrupt good manners." He explains that this is why Christians should be careful about their friendships and associations. Les also applies this to church life, saying that believers should not fellowship with those who claim to be believers but live in sin, as this can pull them down. He notes that even good young people can be ruined by bad friendships, and that churches can decline when liberal preachers or ungodly leaders are allowed to influence the congregation. Les emphasizes that one's company shapes one's direction, character, and spiritual outcome.
Les Feldick warns that associating with fools can lead to destruction. He cites Proverbs 13:20, which says that being a companion of fools leads to destruction. He also points to 1 Corinthians 15:33, which warns that evil communications corrupt good manners, meaning that even good people can be pulled down by bad company. Les applies this to young people, noting that many who start out good have been ruined through bad friendships. He also mentions that in the church, believers are told not to fellowship with those who claim to be believers but live in sin, for the purpose of bringing them to their senses and preventing the corruption of the church.
Les teaches that Christians are in a different world from unbelievers, and their friendships should reflect that. He points to 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says to be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, and asks what fellowship light has with darkness. He explains that this separation is not about being oddballs, but about being distinct so the world knows where we stand. Les also emphasizes that believers should not even eat with those who claim to be believers but live in sin, as this fellowship would corrupt the church and prevent the sinning believer from being brought to repentance.
Les mentions that the church should be led by those who are wise, not just eminent or wealthy. In 1 Corinthians 6:5, Paul says "I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not a wise man among you?" Les notes that even in the Corinthian church, which had a cross-section of society, there was a lack of wise men to judge between brothers. He also warns that a congregation cannot rise higher than its leadership, and that a liberal, Bible-doubting preacher can drag the church down. This underscores the importance of associating with wise and godly leaders.
Les is alarmed about the younger generation, who seem to have no concept of God or eternity, living for instant gratification. He warns that such young people can be led astray by bad companions. He also reminds that when a person becomes a believer, their circle of friendships will change, as they are now in a different world. This implies that young believers should seek wise, godly companions who will help them grow in faith rather than pull them down.
Evil Communications Corrupt
Les quotes 1 Corinthians 15:33, warning that evil communications corrupt good manners, applying it to the danger of bad company.
Friendships Change at Conversion
Les explains that when you become a believer, your friendships will change because you are in a different world, implying the need to associate with wise companions.
Need for Wise Leadership
Les discusses the need for wise men in the church, noting that the church must have wise leadership to guide properly.
Be Not Unequally Yoked
Les teaches that believers are to be separate from the world, citing 2 Corinthians 6:14, reinforcing the importance of wise associations.
Avoid Fellowship with Sinning Believers
Les explains that believers are to avoid even eating with those who claim to be believers but live in sin, to bring them to repentance and protect the church.
Purpose of Separation
Les clarifies that the purpose of separating from sinning believers is to make them realize their error and restore them, not to be nasty.
What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians
There are the immoral, the covetous, and the wicked. I mean they are the norm no matter where we live. So Paul says, when I say not to have any kind of fellowship with immoral people, he said, I'm not talking about the immoral people out there in the workplace, I'm talking about those who are immoral and are members of your church. Remember? Look at it. Verse 10 again.
Alarm for Younger Generation
Les expresses concern about the younger generation who live for the moment, lacking spiritual awareness, which underscores the need for wise influences.
Proverbs 13:20: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
This is the central verse directly stating the benefit of wise companions and the danger of foolish ones.
1 Corinthians 15:33: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
This warns that bad company can corrupt even good morals, stressing the importance of avoiding foolish associations.
2 Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
This teaches separation from unbelievers, implying the need to associate with those who are spiritually wise.
Proverbs 13:20 says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." This shows that associating with wise people leads to wisdom, while being with fools brings destruction.
The Bible warns that evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Even good people can be pulled down by bad company, as Les Feldick explains, leading to ruin and destruction.
Christians should seek friends who are wise and godly, and avoid close fellowship with those who live in sin, even if they claim to be believers, as Les Feldick teaches from 2 Corinthians 6:14 and 1 Corinthians 5.
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