Choose Your Neighbors Well

My son, if sinners entice you, don't be persuaded. If they say, "Come with us! Let's set an ambush and kill someone. Let's attack some innocent person just for fun! Let's swallow them alive, like Sheol, still healthy as they go down to the Pit. We'll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder. Throw in your lot with us, and we'll all share our money"; - my son, don't travel that road with them or set foot on their path, because their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder. - Proverbs 1:10-16 HCSB

In our materialistic and status driven society, one of the principle factors in determining where we live is often the beauty of the house or the caste of our neighbors. Yet, it is far more important that we determine the quality of the souls of those who will soon be an influence, not only on ourselves, but also on our children. After all, their children will play with ours. We will see these people as we take out our garbage, wash our cars, walk our dog or mow our lawns. Their philosophies will in some limited fashion be transmitted into our homes through this contact.

It is not only those who live “on the wrong side of the tracks” who are in danger. We are probably in more danger[1] of yielding to the views of neighbors who are consumed by status and luxuries, than we are to those who traffic in drugs, beat their wives or abuse their children.

Solomon has much to say on this matter. He said, “Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else.”[2] Wicked people, regardless of their economic status, seem to be unable to sleep until they have done some evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. They gossip, sow seeds of discord amongst friends,[3] sleep with their neighbor’s spouse as a matter of competition or try to use their friends to gain even more status. Many will say that they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?[4]

The wicked regularly practice deception even amongst themselves. As they say, “There is no honor among thieves.” They will lead you down a harmful path. Behind your back they will look at you with narrowed eyes, plotting evil. Deep in their hearts they are planning mischief.[5]

On the other hand, the godly give good advice to their friends.[6] By associating with the wise, we gain the possibility of becoming wise ourselves.[7] As iron sharpens iron, so our minds will be sharpened by their influence[8]; their wholesome advice, which may seem at first to be painful, may in the end be our salvation.[9]

So never abandon wise friends and select new ones carefully. Good neighbors are better than distant relatives.[10]


[1] Proverbs 22:24-25
[2] Proverbs 4:14
[3] Proverbs 18:24; 24:1-2
[4] Proverbs 20:6
[5] Proverbs 16:29-30
[6] Proverbs 12:26
[7] Proverbs 13:20
[8] Proverbs 27:17
[9] Proverbs 27:6, 9
[10] Proverbs 27:10