Another 30 Days of Wisdom. Peer pressure.

Nathan: 00:00

“My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, 'Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse.'"

Solomon. Proverbs 1:10-14. Hi, it’s Nathan, and this is day 7 of ANOTHER 30 Days of Wisdom. Man, this guy Solomon, knew some stuff—and he was laying it down without mincing a word. His topic, in case you didn’t catch it: don’t give in to peer pressure. Just because everybody’s doing it, doesn’t mean you need to and just because they look like the cool cats, doesn’t mean you need to link up with them.

So who is it that Solomon is warning about? People who deliberately work together to take advantage of others—especially the disadvantaged—for personal or corporate gain. That’s who. Sound familiar? Exploitation is a big deal in Scripture. Such a big deal that it’s one of the first pieces of counsel the wise man gives.

Don’t join forces with those who study how to take advantage of others. You and I aren’t con artists, but we ever link up with others in the work place or social circle who are working together out of pure self-interest? Do we support social policies that exploit the poor to the advantage of the rich? How we treat others matters—and the wiseman’s advice—don’t join forces with, or support the causes of, those who exploit others.