Proverbs 14:7
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
The concept of excluding those who do not reflect our values from our midst is not as unpopular as the one that defines: ‘lips of knowledge’.
In our present context, ‘lips of knowledge’ refers solely to a practical and applied knowledge of the Word. Practical and applied, because whereas it is foolish enough not know the Word, it is utter foolishness to know it and not do it.
The reasons for ‘going’ from the presence of the ‘foolish man’, from the man who either does not know the Word, or knows it but doesn’t practice it, are given us in the following proverbs, let it therefore now suffice to say that wisdom demands that we do not enter intimate dependant fellowship with such people.
The application of such in this day and age certainly does have the potential of leaving us lonely, but lonely is good. Lonely brings depth as we are one on one in the presence of God. Lonely takes us away from the games we play in the presence of others and close to God as we are faced with the reality of our true self.
The concept of excluding those who do not reflect our values from our midst is not as unpopular as the one that defines: ‘lips of knowledge’.
In our present context, ‘lips of knowledge’ refers solely to a practical and applied knowledge of the Word. Practical and applied, because whereas it is foolish enough not know the Word, it is utter foolishness to know it and not do it.
The reasons for ‘going’ from the presence of the ‘foolish man’, from the man who either does not know the Word, or knows it but doesn’t practice it, are given us in the following proverbs, let it therefore now suffice to say that wisdom demands that we do not enter intimate dependant fellowship with such people.
The application of such in this day and age certainly does have the potential of leaving us lonely, but lonely is good. Lonely brings depth as we are one on one in the presence of God. Lonely takes us away from the games we play in the presence of others and close to God as we are faced with the reality of our true self.
If anything can teach wisdom, that does.
Of course, this proverb also has to be balanced with other proverbs who tell us to utter wise words to the ‘fool’ so maybe he would repent from his foolish ways. What we are told here is not to enter intimate fellowship with such. In the old days, potential friends had to be brought home for approval.
Of course, this proverb also has to be balanced with other proverbs who tell us to utter wise words to the ‘fool’ so maybe he would repent from his foolish ways. What we are told here is not to enter intimate fellowship with such. In the old days, potential friends had to be brought home for approval.
Do we bring our friends to the Father for His approval?
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