“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”

Bill Engvall is a fun comedian. He does a routine about stupid people and thinks it would be helpful to society if they wore a sign so we could easily identify them. As I read this part of today’s Proverb, I was reminded of Engvall’s humor as I considered how we identify the fools in our lives—at least those close to us. It would be wonderful if they would wear a sign that said FOOL, or at least a hat. They don’t. That leaves us needing to learn how to discern who those people are. Often, they say or do obviously foolish things. That alone should help us steer clear of them—it’s often as obvious as if they wore a sign. Talking against God’s truth and principles, as well as living in a way that dishonors God and His people, is another caution that might as well be a sign. There are times, however, when it can be more difficult to spot these individuals, and we must depend on God’s Spirit to make us aware. It may come as a quiet prompting or a general unease around them—clues that they probably should have a sign. Perhaps the safest strategy is to surround yourself with godly, wise believers and listen to and learn from them. Most likely, they will steer clear of the foolish, and you can learn from their example. We will always have foolish, ungodly people around. Knowing who they are helps us avoid their influence. Today, learn to discern. #BeTheEdge

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬