#1292. Proverbs 2:12-15 – Choose your friends wisely (24/6/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional where we are continuing in our Wisdom for Life series from Proverbs.
From Proverbs 2:12-15, we see that wisdom will lead us away from wicked influences and toward true friends who inspire us for what is good.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below.
‘Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.’ (Proverbs 2:12-15)
i. We are vulnerable to the sinful influence of others
In verses 12-15, we are warned about the dangers of the allure of the wicked before he will go on to warn against the allure of sexual sin in the next section (16-19). We are told that wisdom will save us. Without wisdom, without the anchor of God’s wisdom, we are very vulnerable to walking down the ways - ‘dark paths’ - of ‘wicked men’.
Firstly, it’s vital that we confess our vulnerability.
ii. Friendship and community can be a powerful protection
‘Friendship can be a school of virtue, but also a school of vice. It is ambivalent. It makes good men better and bad men worse.’ (C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves)
Those we spend time with have a great influence on us. I’m sure that we can all look back over our lives and see mistakes we’ve made because of the bad influence of others - alternatively, we may have been a bad influence! Friendship is very important.
We are told that these men have ‘left the straight paths to walk in dark ways’. Those who have fallen away from Jesus can be a particular danger. Those who have deconstructed their faith and have walked away from the gospel and biblical faithfulness can be a real danger to people.
We see these men’s ‘words’ compete with the word of God’s wisdom. They are seeking to lead you away from devotion to Scripture.
Christians need good Christian friends and a faithful church community. If our closest friends don’t follow Christ, we are in a dangerous place. Of course, we should have friends who are unbelievers (how else can we help people to come to Jesus!), but our closest and most influential friends must love Jesus and inspire us to love Jesus. This is why Paul writes:
‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”’ (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Our text warns us that the wicked affect our ‘words’, ‘paths’, choices, ‘perversion’, and ‘ways’. Humans are affected, for good or bad, by the community that they are in. The Bible is full of examples of the power of bad and good influences. For example, it was the bad report from eleven of the twelve sent to spy out the Promised Land in Numbers 13 that affected the whole community with unbelief! However, we also see the power of good examples in someone like Jonathan, who encouraged David when he was very discouraged:
‘And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.’ (1 Samuel 23:16)
Who are our closest friends? Which community are we devoted to? Are we putting ourselves among the people of good influence upon us? Do we watch and listen to things that promote wickedness or godliness? This is why we are urged:
‘See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.’ (Hebrews 13:1)
Let’s pray together
“Father, I am weak; you are strong. Help me to be wise in who I allow to influence me. Help me to guard my mind and heart from the allure of wickedness. Lead me to good friendships and an encouraging church community. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
Week #3: Proverbs 2:9-3:4. Remember and do my teachings.
1. What themes stand out in this week’s section? Identify key ideas and repeated patterns. What is the focus of this section?
2. What promises does God offer, and what warnings does He give? Look for specific encouragements, blessings, or cautions in the text.
3. How does this speak into our lives today? What are the practical ways we could live this out — individually, in our families, in our community?
4. How is God calling you to respond? Consider what this means for your heart, your choices, and your direction.
5. SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
How might the wisdom in this week's section of Proverbs help us to be a light for Jesus?
Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
6. Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the 'people of peace' in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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