Proverbs 13:20 declares, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." As a young man, I can remember my mother telling me not to hang around a certain group of kids in our grammar school that had a reputation for causing trouble. These kids had an "atmosphere" around them that felt wrong and to my young heart even seemed evil. It just didn't feel right being around them.

My mom knew something that King Solomon knew hundreds of years ago. You will become like the people that you hang around! I was raised in New Jersey. I recall one of my pals moved from Jersey to a southern state. He had a strong "jersey accent" when he left our area. When he came back to our city to visit his relatives two years later, he sounded like he was born and raised in Alabama! Being around southern people and hearing their accent had affected the way he spoke. Instead of saying "you guys" he now said, "Y'all." Proverbs 13:20 was working in his life!

Be diligent to develop relationships with people who are strong in their walk with Jesus. People of sound wisdom and strength of character. Their influence will rub off on you and help you on life's journey! Have a great week.

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