Why is it important to discern the character of those we admire? Anchoring Verse “Do not envy the wicked, nor desire their company.” ‑ Proverbs 24:1 What the Verse Means, Plain and Simple • God issues an outright prohibition: We must not long for the life, applause, or approval of those who defy Him. • “Envy” and “desire” are heart-words; the Lord addresses inner admiration before it blossoms into outward imitation. • By pairing “envy” with “company,” Scripture shows that what we celebrate we will eventually join—and what we join, we will resemble. Why Discernment Matters Today • Character is contagious. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” If we cozy up to corrupt models, corruption spreads. • Admiration shapes ambition. Psalm 37:1 – 4 contrasts fretting over evildoers with delighting in the Lord; we pursue what fills our gaze. • Future fruit depends on present roots. Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Rooting ourselves among the wise yields wisdom; rooting among rebels yields ruin. • God guards His people from subtle drift. Envy may glide in cloaked as respect for talent, success, or charisma, yet it leads to spiritual dullness (Hebrews 2:1). How to Practice Godly Discernment 1. Compare every admired life to God’s revealed standard (Isaiah 8:20). 2. Look beyond public image: examine speech, relationships, and treatment of authority (Luke 6:45). 3. Notice the trajectory, not the snapshot. Where is this person’s path heading? (Psalm 1:6). 4. Surround yourself with believers who will lovingly challenge misplaced admiration (Proverbs 27:17). 5. Keep Christ as the unrivaled model (Hebrews 12:2). The clearer our vision of Him, the easier it is to spot counterfeit greatness. Blessings of Honoring Godly Examples • Protection from moral compromise (Proverbs 2:11–12). • Growth in wisdom and joy (Philippians 3:17; 4:9). • A witness that points others to true greatness—Jesus Himself (Matthew 5:16). A Closing Thought Whom we admire today shapes who we become tomorrow. By heeding Proverbs 24:1, we choose the company of the righteous and position ourselves for lives that honor God, bless others, and echo into eternity. |
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