Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Anyone who has handled produce realizes that fruit and vegetables spoil over time. However, there are certain things that one can do to either quicken the rate of spoiling or prolong the decay. For example, if you place fresh produce with decaying produce, your fresh produce won’t be so fresh for very long. The same goes for your offspring. We are all sinners, and as such, we “spoil.” However, you can either quicken our “spoiling” by putting us around the wrong crowd or you can decrease our “decay” by placing us around righteousness and righteous people.

It is important that your teenager only “hangs” around the right crowd. For this reason, Paul wrote the younger Timothy in II Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Whoever your young person calls “friend” will influence them for good or for evil.

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

However, it is very important not to miss what I am about to say: your prodigal teen needs to hang around people who he cannot have as much influence over. Many adults miss this crucial point. Remember that fresh produce spoils quicker when thrown in with decaying produce. Because we are all sinners, a Christian youth group will actually be hindered and hurt by adding a rebellious youth to the mix. This happens all the time. So, what can be done?

Did you notice our text: Proverbs 13:20? “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” It is important that your young man/woman spend time around godly, matured men/women.

• – Go to every church service and have your teen sit between godly adults who actively participate in the church service (like saying “Amen”, taking notes, going to the altar, etc….). If your teen is wandering from God, do not allow them to hang around other teens to corrupt them. Your youth needs “wise men.”
• – Take your teen to work days at the church and have them hang around and help out a godly adult who loves the Lord. Make sure you are not allowing your teen to spend time with just anyone.
• – Listen to preaching at home and in your vehicle with your teen around. If you have a rebellious young lady, also listen to godly women teach.
• – Take your teen to youth conferences and other youth activities, but keep your youth close to yourself and other godly, mature believers.
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Many will probably think that I am wrong for suggesting your youth spend so much time with the “wise men” instead of other teenagers. However, “many” let their rebellious teens hang around other teens and you can quickly see the mess our homes are in. A prodigal teen either worsens around rebellious teens or a prodigal teen introduces “godly” teens to things and thoughts that corrupt them as well. My friend, follow God’s advice and help your teenager “walk with wise men.”