A Fool's Follies

Despite our pride, many of us have been or are fools in the eyes of God. This is a very humbling thought, but it is God’s opinion and it is the one that matters and not ours. Noah Webster defined foolishness as “void of understanding or sound judgment, weak in intellect (applied to general character), unwise, silly, vain, trifling, ridiculous, sinful …” In the book of Proverbs there are at least 42 verses dealing with foolishness. Here is how God defines foolishness in Proverbs:

1. A fool wants to do wrong, and does not think of the consequences:

Prov. 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Prov. 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

2. A fool listens to his own ideas, and is not concerned about others. He gets angry when others tell him what to do:

Prov. 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Prov. 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Prov. 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Prov. 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Prov. 11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

3. A fool lets his opinion be known right away:

Prov. 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Prov. 12:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Prov. 18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Prov. 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

4. A fool minds everyone else’s business:

Prov. 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

5. A fool does not learn from his mistakes:

Prov. 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

6. A fool does not believe there is a God: Although found in the book of Psalms, here is another person God identifies as a fool.

Psalms 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

“He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.” — Tillotson

An article from The Bible View published by Bill Brinkworth