"Never argue with a fool. It'll just drag you down to their level and make a fool of you." I like the humorous truth of that. In other words, arguing with a fool is seldom productive. When we begin to engage with others in foolish ways, we start heading into fools' territory—whether or not anyone else goes there with us. It's a losing formula.

In Proverbs, God is not simply saying we should avoid fools. Sometimes we just can't, and in Jesus' name we need to interact with all kinds of people. God is saying that we should fight foolishness, especially when it begins to rise up in us.

To do that, we need help. And we receive help not only from God's Word but also from others. God invites us to be part of a community of discerning people who know true wisdom in Christ. Such people can help us when we face difficult decisions or when we are in relationships that challenge our own discernment. Wisdom means opening ourselves up to wise help so that we can stop any unperceived slide into foolishness.

I want the Bible to examine me as I read it (Hebrews 4:12), and I want people to critique me as I need it.

I want honest feedback because I want to be wise in thought, word, and deed.