Proverbs 28:7 ¶ Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he
that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Notice the contrast here creating a
definition as the Bible does in many places. The wise son keeps the law; obeys
it, guards it, stays close to it. But the opposite type of son hangs out with
party people. The first one is a wise son and by the understanding of the
phrase makes his father glad while the second son shames his father.
Young people, you are often known by the people
you keep company with. I used to be one of the riotous people it refers to here
back when I was unsaved, and in some part, even afterwards for a time until
God’s word took hold of me. I was not the kind of person you want to hang
around to keep your reputation from being dragged through the dirt. That
condition began with me hanging out with the wrong people and learning from them
while I ignored the good people in my life. Guard your good name, keep your
reputation clean. I was denied employment once based on events that transpired
nearly thirty years before that time.
Proverbs 22:1a A good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches…….
Ecclesiastes 7:1a A good name is better than precious ointment…..
(I have heard that ointment for burial purposes,
as was applied to Jesus’ head in Matthew 26, could cost as much as a year’s
earnings for a Hebrew.)
What characterizes riotous men? For one, they
are party people.
Proverbs 23:20 Be not among winebibbers;
among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come
to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
You know the kind of young person who hangs out
at the local sports bar every night after work or the older person who has to
stop off at the club for a drink or two before he can go home. On weekends they
overindulge: drink too much and eat too much. It’s always happy hour for them,
sort of like the premise of the TV show, Cheers. The Prodigal Son in
Luke 15 wasted his entire inheritance on riotous living and wound up eating
with the pigs.
Riotous living looks like fun for awhile but
unless God has mercy on you and you repent of your lifestyle your life will
usually come to ruin if riotous living is your life code. The Christian is not
in danger of losing his or her salvation but you hardly appear saved to others
or have any kind of testimony for Christ with a drink in one hand and a
noisemaker in the other falling down drunk on New Year’s Eve. Listen to my
advice carefully. Make friends with people of good character regardless of
their social status or political views. Make friends with people who are, as we
used to say down South, about something.
The frivolous, immoral party girl like the one glorified in
the songs by the pop artist Kesha or the wild boys extolled by many different
artists are fools and if you make the mistake of associating with them outside
of presenting the gospel in an attempt to save them from Hell, then you will
not only appear unwise but bring shame to your parents, most likely.
A wise son or daughter will spend their time
with people who will help them, build them up, strengthen their faith, and who
display Christian character and the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.
Do your friends binge drink alcohol, stay up late, and are they irresponsible,
loud mouthed, going nowhere losers or do the following things emanate from them
like a good smelling ointment?
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
It’s your choice. Are you a wise son or daughter
or are you a fool who causes unbelievers to blaspheme the name of God because
of your foolish companions? Think carefully. You may answer for your choices
thirty years from now in this life or at the very least at the Judgment Seat of
Christ at the end of it.
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