RUN! THERE'S A FOOL PRESENT! - Proverbs 14:7

Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7

Ah, the fool . . . here is a guy you will get to know as you read through the book of Proverbs.  He is a main character - and what a character he is.  Let's take a quick look at this word "fool" and learn a little about who he is and a little about how he thinks.

The word "fool" is the Hebrew word "kesil".  This word is translated as fool or stupid man.  It refers to a stupid fellow or a dullard.  This is the dull or obstinate one who does not desire or consider God's ways or paths as worth emulating or following.  This guy is someone who does not concentrate on what is right and is apparently unable to see any proper way or conduct.  He has no delight in understanding or discernment, hates knowledge and most of all does not fear the Lord.  As a result he is a serious detriment to those who are around him and to society in general.  His actions not only cause him problems but also endanger all those who are around him.

When you read the definition above you can understand why God tells us to "leave the presence of a fool."  The New Testament offers sage advice when it tells us that bad company corrupts good morals.  To hand around a fool is to invite stupidity into your life.  The problem a fool brings is that his very lifestyle rebels against discernment and knowledge.  He doesn't want to distinguish between good and evil.  His attitude is, "anything he wants is good - anything that goes against his desires is evil."  Not only does he militate against discernment - but he also won't listen to words of knowledge.  Knowledge refers to skill and ability with wisdom - and any kind of skill that refers to God's view of things - the fool considers a form of torture.

If you want to be discerning, if you want to have a skill in taking God's wisdom and applying it to life situations, if you want to have wisdom, you need to be with people who are wise.  Being in the presence and under the influence of a fool is not the way to go.  You want to be around those who know and love God's Word.  You want to seek out those who have walked wisely over many years.  You want to be in the presence of godly men to learn these things.  As for being around the fool, there is one good piece of advice . . . RUN!