A Solid Directive

A Solid Directive

You have most likely heard the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” While the core of the quote is to learn from our mistakes and not allow people in our lives to take advantage of us, I think there is even more we can learn from these words.

I am reminded of Proverbs 14:7, which says, “Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.” This simple, solid directive gives us great liberty to move on. As we are navigating life, we need to know that we should steer clear of those who are foolish.

Because there are a lot of fools out there, the book of Proverbs warns us of fools and gives us direction on how to handle foolish people. Proverbs 14:8 says, “The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.” Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!”

Can you recognize a fool? Fools are loud, defiant, deceptive, manipulative, arrogant, and boastful. They don’t care if they hurt others, and when confronted, they fail to admit that they were wrong.

If we are building our lives to praise God and serve God, we should actively be seeking wisdom and discernment and striving to identify the fools in our midst. When we can identify them, we can steer clear of them as well.

The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

Proverbs 14:8