Proverbs 12:26 - One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Translations of the first phrase vary, for example, “The righteous choose their friends carefully (NIV),” “The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor (AV).” All translations tell the Proverbs “son” that he will live among other people who will lead him for good or ill. Aristotle famously declared man a political animal. God said, “It is not good for the man (person) to be alone (Genesis 2:18).” We resemble lions, which live in packs, rather than tigers, which hunt alone.
Because of our social nature, we go far to “fit in” with other people, dressing like those we want to hang with, liking their music, and approving what they approve. God gives us our families, but we choose our friends. Spend time with sneering losers, and you will become one. Associate with the snooty smart set, and you will share their attitude. Put in time with respectful, hard-working types, and their good habits will become yours. So the Book of Proverbs tells the “son” repeatedly, choose friends well.
There are two practical questions in choosing friends: will they have me as a friend, and do I want to become like them? The danger in asking first, “Will they have me?” is that “bad apples” accept new friends as readily as “good apples” do. Therefore, the wise person in a new school, or a new workplace, or a new neighborhood, knowing that he will tend to become like his associates, should begin with the question, “Do I want to be like them?” before wondering if he can gain entrance to a group.
The one who prays, as Jesus taught us, “Lead me not into temptation,” shows the seriousness of his prayer if he does not put himself in temptation’s way by standing, sitting, walking, or riding in the car with scorners who care nothing for God and his law. In certain situations, a wise person may have to choose some loneliness over his need for human companionship. Family story: one of my sons at age eleven went with a group of boys to a friend’s house. The parents were not home, so the son of the house went to his parents’ pornography stash and put in a tape. After a few minutes, when he realized what he was watching, my son walked out and came home, a practical and potentially costly application of this proverb, since a refusal to let friends lead one astray often ends friendships.
A further application of this proverb: Groups of Christian friends, and the Christian Church in general, must always be open to new people, even unsavory ones. Jesus’ enemies criticized him for eating with taxpayers and sinners, but he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Mark 2:27). As Christ’s Body in the world, the Church has the same calling to be a righteous guide to all who will join it.
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Dr. Bill Edgar, former chair of the Geneva College Board of Trustees, former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)
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Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Apr 3, 2020
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Dr. J. Ligon Duncan of Reformed Theological Seminary delivered the spring 2021 Commencement address at Geneva College on May 10, 2021. Here is an excerpt of that message, entitled, "Every Good Work," from 2 Timothy 3. This excerpt first appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Geneva Magazine.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
As busy as college students are, it can be profoundly beneficial for them to seek out and engage in a routine Bible study. Diving deeper into their faith, exploring what the world’s challenges mean to them, and creating a Christian-based path forward can give any college student the direction he or she needs to achieve their best life. Still, it’s not always easy to make that decision—instead of a night with friends or yet another study session for a high-level math class, go to Bible study instead.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
What should someone with wealth do? Solomon writes, “Pay attention to it and know its condition.” He uses the example of sheep and goats. Wise parents blessed with wealth will teach their children how to work to maintain it. Wise children will accept the burdens of responsibility that go with family wealth, always remembering that riches do not last forever.
The Book of Proverbs has no use for the gullible, viewing them as willful fools. Even when everyone else can see a hateful, deceitful person for what he is, the gullible choose to believe gracious words.
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
How should leaders deal with difficult situations in difficult times? Geneva College’s John Gallo and Jenna Bieber provide a guidebook for leaders. "Lessons from Cain and Abel to Guide Leaders Through Turbulent Times" walks readers through the account of Cain and Abel to teach leaders the importance of justice, mercy, harmony and equality.
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