Proverbs 13:20 reminds us: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
All of us turn to friends for advice at different points in our lives. The question isn’t whether we seek counsel—it’s whose counsel we choose to listen to. Scripture gives us a sobering reminder of this truth in the story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12.
When Rehoboam became king after his father Solomon, the people asked him to lighten their burden. He sought advice from two groups: the older, wiser counselors who had served his father, and his own peers. The seasoned advisors urged kindness and humility. His friends encouraged harshness and pride. Rehoboam followed his friends—and the result was devastating. He lost most of the kingdom, and Israel was never whole again.
While we can’t always control who our children choose as friends, we can influence the environments they’re part of. We can guide them toward church, healthy activities, and relationships that point them toward God. We can also help them become wise friends themselves by nurturing their relationship with Him.
Most of all, we can pray. Ask God to surround your children with friends who speak life, truth, and wisdom—and pray that your children will do the same for others.
If you are looking for a tool to strengthen your prayer life, check out the Everyday Prayers series. Each day in the Everyday Prayers books features a verse of the day, a devotional, a prayer, extra verses for reflection, and a place to journal.
Our Patreon community offers a downloadable prayer calendar with the full month’s prayers, along with encouragement and connection with other moms committed to prayer. Your support helps make Million Praying Moms possible by providing for the team and resources needed to produce each weekday episode.
