He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 (NASB)
A new birdwatching post came to my mind about another of my favorite British birds – the Bullfinch. As I remembered this colorful finch, I was shown in the behavior of the species how it illustrates a valuable spiritual lesson for us today.
The Bullfinch is a choosy bird; being particular about where it goes, the company it keeps, and the food it eats. It is a shy woodland bird, cautiously choosing to stay close to wooded cover. Its favorite food is seeds from seasonal shrubs and from garden bird tables. We never had them in our village garden when I was a lad, but we have had quite a few visits to our garden in Glenrothes this year – I attribute this to the sunflower seeds which they love. The garden shrubs and nearby woodland provide a good escape route for these shy birds. Bullfinches tend to appear in pairs when the garden is quieter from the raucous Starlings amongst others.
In the above description, you see that Bullfinches certainly are choosy – we should also be choosy as Christians about the company we keep and the spiritual food we consume each day. I remember my younger days when I hung out with the wrong folk, these ungodly types had shaky morals that rubbed off on me as a new believer. Paul tells us in his writing to the Corinthian church, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). He further expands on this in 2 Corinthians 6:14; “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” So, according to Paul, as believers, we need to be careful and choosy about our company and the places where we go. And there was the Bullfinches’ choice of food; we too should be choosy in what spiritual food we consume. How often do we watch a TV show we shouldn’t be watching or read a dodgy novel – when we could be reading our Bible? The Bullfinch seeks good sustenance; so should we as children of God.
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Dear Reader, are you like the choosy Bullfinches – keeping good company and safety for your spiritual welfare? Do you seek where you can hear the Word of God or read it at every opportunity? Be a choosy Bullfinch for your Lord brethren!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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