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Staying away from foolish people
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Proverbs 14:7
Though this proverb is self-explanatory it’s very important to actually apply it in your day-to-day life. It’s not enough to acknowledge the existence of the fact that people who are foolish talk no knowledge, you must stay away from them.
This doesn’t mean that you stop caring for people!
The Lord is very clear on this in the Bible. Here are a few scriptures:
- Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
- John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Now just as you are told to love one another, you are also expected to walk in wisdom. The same Bible that speaks of love also strongly suggests keeping away from foolish people with good reason.
You must guard yourself against foolishness especially heresies and godlessness!
- Titus 3:10 Avoid a man who is a heretic after the first and second admonitions
- 2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
- 2 Timothy 2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
You must give no opportunity to the devil in everything especially your speech and hearing.
Ephesians 4:25-29 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Jesus too kept away from people when they spoke foolishness.
The main thing was that some people were trying to keep his mind off the will of God, no wonder Jesus didn’t entertain their foolish talk either. He got away from their words of foolishness, what about you?
Matthew 16: 22-23 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Jesus, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
My suggestion is that you start applying Proverbs 14:7 everywhere. Like at watching movies or comedies on TV, being at a concert, having a meal with friends etc. If there is foolishness spoken and no wisdom, understand that you need to reject it and get away from those situations no matter who feels what about you. Obviously make a polite excuse to get away. Don’t waste time listening to people who keep talking perverse things. This will save your time and also your mental energy which you can apply for some good work or prayer.
God bless you for reading!
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