In Proverbs, the fool is one who disregards God. He lives how he wants, not caring about or giving consideration to the Holy One.

I encounter that kind of fool in person, of course, but also in some of my listening and some of my reading.

“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge” (Proverbs 14:7).

Now, how radical does God want me to be in applying that verse?

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).

That’s so simple and straightforward.

To be wise, hang around wise people.

To avoid destruction, avoid friendship with the foolish.

But there’s another way to consider this verse.

Those who choose me as a friend — are they exposing themselves to wisdom or to destruction?

Oh wow!