What is required of those that may have the benefit of this invitation ( Proverbs 9:5)
They must break off from all bad company:
“Forsake the foolish, converse not with them, conform not to their ways, have no fellowship with the works of darkness, or with those that deal in such works.”
The first step towards virtue is to shun vice, and therefore to shun the vicious. Depart from me, you evil-doers.
They must awake and arise from the dead;
they must live, not in pleasure (for those that do so are dead while they live), but in the service of God; for those only that do so live indeed, live to some purpose.
“Live not a mere animal-life, as brutes, but now, at length, live the life of men. Live and you shall live; live spiritually, and you shall live eternally,” (Ephesians 5:14)
They must choose the paths of Wisdom, and keep to them:
“Go in the way of understanding; govern thyself henceforward by the rules of religion and right reason.”
It is not enough to forsake the foolish, but we must join ourselves with those that walk in wisdom, and walk in the same spirit and steps.
(Matthew Henry Commentary)
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2 Comments :
Was wondering what Matthew Henry means by "converse not with them?" Is it that you may witness to them but not be around them so much that it affects your character or faith?
I think I heard a sermon months ago on a similar subject:
Be friendly towards all, but choose carefully the ones you have as your close companions... Proverbs 13:20 also goes on those lines, but adds a warning...
I think you pointed out well, it must not affect your character and faith, if so I would say it is our duty ( for our own soul's sake ) to avoid any such spiritual hindrances which will certainly confuse our calling to walk in conformity to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29)...
Blessings
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God bless!!