There’s this saying in Spanish, “Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres.” Translated this means tell me who you’re associating or hanging out with, and I’ll tell you who you are. This saying proved very real for me many years ago.

By most accounts, I considered myself a pretty good kid. I behaved reasonably well, did pretty good in school, and excelled at sports. During my last year of sixth grade, we moved, and I enrolled in a new school.

Unwisely, I decided to hang out with the “fun” kids. They joked around all day, got in trouble, and hated P.E. For the most part, they were slackers, always looking for a laugh. I enjoyed the jokes and even encouraged them. All of this came to a halt the day my report card came.

For the first time in my life, I earned a grade of D in physical education. I was appalled at receiving this grade. I felt I had excelled and done everything asked of me. The P.E teacher saw it differently.

She disliked the group of “jokers” and found it easier to assign us all a “D.” The very next day, my parents forbid me to hang out with those kids again, and soon after, my grades came back up.

My story reminds me of the time Israel rebelled against King Rehoboam for taking the wrong council from foolish friends instead of the wise words of the elders.

Daily Directive:

Read:

Read and meditate on 1 Kings 12:12-16. What do these verses say to you?

Pray:

Who do you turn to for advice?

Meditate / Make It Real:

Make a list and of godly men you can turn to for wise council? Share or ask a fellow brother and have them hold you accountable.