Birds of a Feather Flock Together
“The Power of Association”
There is an old saying that has stood the test of time: “Birds of a feather flock together.” While that phrase is not quoted word-for-word in Scripture, the principle is undeniably biblical. God has always taught His people that who we walk with determines where we end up.
- Association is Never Neutral
The Bible makes it clear that companionship always carries influence.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3 (KJV)
You cannot walk closely with someone without being affected by them. Agreement produces alignment, and alignment produces direction. Eventually, you start walking where they walk, thinking how they think, and valuing what they value.
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” – Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)
Scripture does not say might be destroyed, it says shall be destroyed. Association is not a suggestion; it is a spiritual law.
2. The Path Begins With the People
David shows us how compromise begins, not with actions, but with associations.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” – Psalm 1:1 (KJV)
Notice the progression:
- Walking in counsel
- Standing in the way
- Sitting in the seat
What starts as casual exposure becomes a settled identity. Birds of a feather don’t just fly together; they nest together.
3. Corruption Travels Through Companionship
Paul warns the church plainly:
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Corruption rarely announces itself. It disguises itself as harmless conversation, shared humor, or “just being around.” But over time, it reshapes convictions, dulls holiness, and weakens spiritual hunger.
You don’t have to adopt someone’s behavior to be affected by their spirit.
4. God Separates Before He Elevates
Throughout Scripture, God always calls His people out before He sends them up.
- Abraham had to leave UR
- Lot suffered because he pitched toward Sodom
- Israel had to leave Egypt
- The disciples had to leave their nets
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” – 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)
Separation is not isolation; it is alignment. God separates us from what will contaminate our calling.
5. You Will Eventually Sound Like Who You Sit With
Jesus said it plainly:
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” – Matthew 12:34 (KJV)
Listen to someone long enough, and you’ll hear who they’ve been flying with. Speech reveals company. Appetite reveals association. Direction reveals devotion.
“They were astonished, and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13 (KJV)
That’s the goal, not just to show Scripture, but to be recognized by association with Christ.
6. Choose Your Flock Carefully
- If you desire holiness, walk with the holy.
- If you desire wisdom, walk with the wise.
- If you desire revival, walk with the hungry.
“Iron sharpenth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
You cannot soar with eagles while roosting with chickens.
- Examine your circle.
- Evaluate your influences.
- Inspect your associations.
Whether you realize it or not, you are already flocking with someone.
“Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” – 1 Corinthians 5:6 (KJV)
Choose wisely who you fly with. Your destiny depends on it!