Dear brethren,
“The real problem is that the fool has little or no real interest in God.”
Wow…
Do we, as believing Christians, ever, ever, ever think of ourselves as fools? Not just acting like a fool on occasion when we admit it, but…
…actually being a fool in our brethren’s and Almighty God’s eyes?
No, we don’t, on average.
Now, that’s a real problem, especially in affluent cultures where virtually everyone is a stonewaller of the true truth on how they should really act to be considered holy and worthy of heaven…
…and not the lake of fire as a failed overcomer like we see in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Many years ago after I was first saved and when my wife and I were first married, we had the good pleasure of learning from a wise young teacher. He was absolutely fearless in his proclamation of the gospel as the teacher (not “pastor”) in a small non-denominational institutional church assembly.
One Sunday morning he taught on Fools.
We were riveted.
It was excellent. It flew in the face of the Religion of Niceness.
Even back then most would never touch a subject like that or intimate that anyone in the congregation would ever be called a “fool.” I asked for his notes, and they form the basis for this work you’re about to read. I miss his courage and last we heard he was in Virginia somewhere.
Once at a family life conference, we heard Crawford Laritz, then of Here’s Life in Atlanta, quote a famous piece on fools. He claimed:
“Experience isn’t the only teacher, but it’s the only school a fool will attend.”
I wrote it down then in a special Holy Spirit moment. I’m sure you know the kind of moment I mean! For all of God’s children that haven’t quenched the Spirit receive that blessing. I thought over the years that I have a graduate degree in that school but I certainly don’t want a doctorate! Don’t we all want it learn from those more wise than us?
If we refuse God’s gracious way, then we’re called “fools.”
Both Jesus (Mt. 23.17, Luke 12.20) and Paul (Rom. 1.22, 1 Cor. 15.36), and the Old Covenant, called human beings and believers fools. A lot. So, obviously, like holy sarcasm, calling someone a fool under the correct circumstances is not sin.
That’s comforting…
The first part of this study deals with the Old Testament. Overall, this is a thorough and long treatise on the subject.
The Gallery of Fools
A gallery is really like a museum display. Years ago, I used to visit history museums and look at the gallery of pictures that told a story about the past. Some were small and some covered the whole wall. All of them helped transport me back to their time.
The Bible talks a lot about fools. These are certain people who are on display for all to see. The picture the Word portrays about them is not pretty.
It’s often a stern, un-nice loving warning that most often doesn’t look like dysfunctional American “love:” but it’s certainly part of the protective love of Jesus to help us live a fruitful life in Him.
There seems to be five types in the Old Testament:
1. The Simple Fool (pethi: peth-ee’ – used 21 times) – naïve, deceived, seduced, easily led, gullible; a lack of experience or mental ability
2. The Obstinate Fool (kesil: kes-eel’ – used 50 times) – dull, obstinate, willfully wrong
3. The Defiant Fool (evil: ev-eel’ – used 26 times) – stupid, stubborn, a coarse defiance; much stronger than the ‘kesil’ fool; suggests morally corrupt
4. The Closed Minded Fool (nabal: naw-bawl’ – used 18 times) – a closed mind at the present; rejected the fear of the Lord
5. The Scoffer, Scorner, Mocker (lits: loots – used 27 times ) – mocking, scorning, and scoffing to express the heart
Let’s take them one at a time:
1. The Simple Fool (pethi: peth-ee’ – used 21 times) – naïve, deceived, seduced, easily led, gullible; a lack of experience or mental ability
They believe anything, and are the opposite of the prudent and teachable.
Proverbs 14:15 The naive believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.
They inherit folly when they refuse to learn.
Proverbs 14:18 The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
They are punished when eventually overcome by evil.
Proverbs 22:3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naive proceed and pay the penalty.
This fool’s way leads to death, apart from Godly discipleship.
Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.
Foolish woman can be full of folly, therefore boisterous.
Proverbs 9:13 The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive, and knows nothing.
Foolish men engage foolish, boisterous women and eventually die.
Proverbs 9:16-18 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” and to him who lacks understanding she says, “Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
The gracious word of God can rescue them.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Wisdom is the answer to their folly.
Proverbs 9:4-6 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, “Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed. “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 1:4 To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion
Proverbs 7:7 And I saw among the naive, I discerned among the youths, a young man lacking sense
Proverbs 8:5 “O naive ones, discern prudence; and, O fools, discern wisdom.
Proverbs 9:6 “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
Fool’s keep company with scoffers, and may learn when the scoffer is punished.
Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 19:25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, but reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
The truly simple that follow God’s way and trust in Him will be preserved.
Psalm 116:6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
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2. The Obstinate Fool (kesil: kes-eel’ – used 50 times) – dull, obstinate, willfully wrong
He does not seek wisdom seriously, but rejects your advice.
Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
He assumes that he can get wisdom as easily as purchasing something, but there is an inner deficiency that keeps him from actually gaining wisdom; he lacks the heart or inner being to receive it.
Proverbs 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?
This fool thinks that he can find the secrets of success in faraway places, ignoring the true wisdom that is right before him.
Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
He does not want to listen and learn, but merely talks to display his own ideas.
Proverbs 26:9 Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.
In reality, the fool has none of the knowledge of which he boasts.
Psalm 92:6-7 A senseless man has no knowledge; nor does a stupid man understand this: that when the wicked sprouted up like grass, and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
Complacency is his down-fall.
Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?
The problem is his heart, the Hebrew term for the whole inward being of humans. Inner rebellion against God produces outward foolishness.
Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
This rebellion flows out in his words. Therefore, gaining Godly knowledge is not on his heart.
Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.
Proverbs 15:14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Eccles. 10:12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; Even a proverb is meaningless when he says it.
Proverbs 26:7 Like the legs which hang down from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The fool constantly displays his warped attitude, much as a peddler spreads his goods before a buyer.
Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly.
Anger characterizes the fool.
Proverbs 14:16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.
Proverbs 18:6-7 A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.
Eccles. 7:9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.
Deceit sometimes camouflages the anger, but hostility still exists.
Proverbs 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
The fool has chosen his way of life, and persists in it because he actually enjoys his wickedness.
Proverbs 10:23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool; and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
The idea of turning from evil is repugnant to him.
Proverbs 13:19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
He returns to the same behavior repeatedly, like a dog.
Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
The fool is unresponsive to counsel, because he places his trust in his own cleverness and resources.
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.
The fool assumes that God does not see his sin.
Psalm 94:8 Pay heed, you senseless among the people; and when will you understand, stupid ones?
The fool may be able to present himself as wise for a time, but his folly will be exposed eventually.
Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the bosom of fools it is made known.
It’s better to be poor and upright than a fool who speaks perversely
Proverbs 19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
Dishonor and folly is their constant companion.
Proverbs 3:35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor.
Proverbs 26:1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is foolishness.
The Bible also warns of the fool’s impact on those around him.
He is a grief to his parents.
Proverbs 10:1 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
Proverbs 17:21 He who begets a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
In fact, he can be a destructive force in the family.
Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
He can actually despise his own mother.
Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Those who can avoid him should do so; close association will have harmful effects.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
His words stir up quarrels.
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows.
He can go into bursts of blind anger as dangerous as a mother bear deprived of her cubs.
Proverbs 17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
Their folly is equated with wickedness.
Proverbs 10:23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool; and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.
How does one respond to a fool?
There are times when a word of counsel or warning may be appropriate.
Proverbs 8:5 “O naive ones, discern prudence; and, O fools, discern wisdom.
Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
But if a person has actually chosen this path, rebukes are generally ineffective.
Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
Proverbs 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?
Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.
Proverbs 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
It is wise to avoid the fool to escape the risks that go with such company.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.
It is certainly unwise to entrust any important business to him.
Proverbs 26:6 He cuts off his own feet, and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
Proverbs 26:10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, so is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
Eccles. 10:15 The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.
One who gives them honor will reap trouble.
Proverbs 26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
A fool knows no bounds for he can also be given places of high authority.
Eccles. 4:13 A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.
A hardened fool will only respond to the harsh realities of discipline.
Luxury is not helpful or appropriate for a fool.
Proverbs 19:10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool; much less for a slave to rule over princes.
The public pain and shame of a beating is actually the most beneficial! experience for him.
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and blows for the back of fools.
Proverbs 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
But even discipline may not be effective.
Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
The results of choosing the life of a fool are certain destruction in the long run.
Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.
Psalm 49:10 For he sees that even wise men die; the stupid and the senseless alike perish, and leave their wealth to others.
The basic problem is spiritual, not intellectual. It lies in the heart, and only God can truly change the heart of a fool. The real problem is that the fool has little or no real interest in God.
The root of foolishness is antithetical to that of wisdom, as the “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
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3. The Defiant Fool (evil: ev-eel’ – used 26 times) – stupid, stubborn, a coarse defiance; much stronger than the ‘kesil’ fool; suggests morally corrupt
The folly and foolishness of this type of fool is spoken of often, along with it’s terrible effects.
First, this fool lacks wisdom. Therefore, they have no fear of Jesus.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
He’s not fooling anyone, especially God.
Psalm 69:5 O God, it is Thou who dost know my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from Thee.
Foolishness of a fool perverts what is good for him, and is due to hatred toward God Himself.
Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man subverts his way, and his heart rages against the Lord.
Foolishness is even joyful for the fool.
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.
They can die because of it.
Proverbs 5:23 He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding.
A fool despises his father’s wisdom.
Proverbs 15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is prudent.
It could be the fault of his parents. Tough discipline with a “club” beginning at a very early age is the remedy to save their very soul.
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
If not, foolishness appears to be a permanent condition.
Proverbs 27:22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
A foolish woman’s family suffers greatly. This is a huge problem in the rebellious and contentious culture like America. Most women eventually practice this type of foolishness, especially religious women in the church thinking they’re doing God a favor by their sinful methodology.
It that causes emotional destruction in their own houses. One reason is that they have few role models. But they don’t seek the role models that may be available. It’s fear based control, a demonic spirit. And amateurs teach amateurs to be amateurs.
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
More foolishness is the discipline that arises for the fool.
Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
There’s a physical price to pay.
Psalm 38:5 My wounds grow foul and fester. Because of my folly,
The fool will become servant to the wise.
Proverbs 11:29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wise hearted.
Ultimately, wisdom is beyond a fool’s grasp.
Proverbs 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate.
Rather than listening to others, the fool does what seems right to him.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
Second, fools lack self control, especially in speech. This is so prevalent in Christian homes all throughout America.
A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back.
Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Their mouth leads them to ruin. Indeed, they invite it. They respond before they hear out their critic.
Proverbs 10:8 The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be thrown down.
Proverbs 10:10 He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be thrown down.
Proverbs 10:14 Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
When annoyed, the fool shows it immediately.
Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s vexation is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor.
Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Wise people should avoid getting into a quarrel with a fool. The fool could learn much from the wise. But their sinful pride and arrogance prevents it.
Proverbs 20:3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.
Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
Proverbs 29:9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, the foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
Finally, fools lack moral reasoning. He will mock at making amends for sin.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.
A fool has been warned but is like a hapless animal falling into a trap of stupidity, metaphorically presented as an adulteress. Due to this moral perversion, the fool is often found in close proximity to sin.
Proverbs 7:22 Suddenly he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Fools have been around since the beginning, troubling God’s great heart and gaining rebuke from Him.
Job 5:2-3 “For vexation slays the foolish man, and anger kills the simple. I have seen the foolish taking root, and I cursed his abode immediately.
Jeremiah 4:22 “For My people are foolish, they know Me not; they are stupid children (wow), and they have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, but to do good they do not know.”
The history of rebellious Israel points out fools suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
Psalm 107:17 Fools, because of their rebellious way, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
There’s a time coming when the righteous will walk the way of holiness, but wicked fools will not be found there. Scary. Don’t point the finger at someone else first. What might be your own condition?
Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it.
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4. The Closed Minded Fool (nabal: naw-bawl’ – used 18 times) – a closed mind at the present; rejected the fear of the Lord
This fool emphasizes being ignoble, and disgraceful, a downright boor. They have a general and moral insensibility to God, and close their mind to reason. They reject the fear of the Lord who could have given them some wisdom.
After much patience, God eventually has to deal with these fools in his wrath.
Deut. 32:6 “Do you thus repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is not He your Father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.
2 Samuel 13:13 “As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”
Ezekiel 13:3 ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing.
Job 30:8 “Fools, even those without a name, they were scourged from the land.
The fool has a closed mind to God.
Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” they are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 74:18 Remember this, O Lord, that the enemy has reviled; and a foolish people has spurned Thy name.
Disgrace, shame and contempt come from this fool.
Psalm 39:8 “Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.
He insults God all day long in continual uproar.
Psalm 74:22 Do arise, O God, and plead Your own cause; remember how the foolish man reproaches You all day long.
He makes himself heard in public, unfortunately.
Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips to a prince.
Job 2:10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Isaiah 32:5-6 No longer will the fool be called noble, or the rogue be spoken of as generous. For a fool speaks nonsense, and his heart inclines toward wickedness, to practice ungodliness and to speak error against the Lord, to keep the hungry person unsatisfied and to withhold drink from the thirsty.
And is always the case with all types of fools, his parents, especially the father, pay a huge price.
Proverbs 17:21 He who begets a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
The earth protests when a fool grows rich because he becomes arrogant and overbearing.
Proverbs 30:21-22 Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up: under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied with food,
Jeremiah 17:11 “As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid, so is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly; in the midst of his days it will forsake him, And in the end he will be a fool.”
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5. The Scoffer, Scorner, Mocker (lits: loots – used 27 times ) – mocking, scorning, and scoffing to express the heart
They are disrespectful and arrogant of God and His laws, even delighting in their scorn.
Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 19:28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
Psalm 119:51 The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Thy law.
Therefore, God scoffs at them; since they are particularly proud and the opposite of the humble who receive special grace.
Proverbs 3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
God’s people are warned not to associate with them.
Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
Isaiah 28:22 And now do not carry on as scoffers, lest your fetters be made stronger; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, of decisive destruction on all the earth.
Scoffers are unable to learn from the warnings, reproof or punishment of those who are more wise, including their parents. These are part of the crowd that Jesus warns not to cast your pearls before swine or give what is holy to the dogs.
Proverbs 9:7-8 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.
Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise.
Proverbs 19:25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, but reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
When scoffers are punished, the simple bystanders can learn.
Proverbs 21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Those who act proudly are called scoffers, and are an abomination to all.
Proverbs 21:24 “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, who acts with insolent pride.
Proverbs 24:9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
It’s best to remove him.
Proverbs 22:10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, even strife and dishonor will cease.
Eventually, they will be brought to nothing, all alone, and utterly consumed.
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and blows for the back of fools.
Proverbs 9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Isaiah 29:20 For the ruthless will come to an end, and the scorner will be finished, indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off;
Wine is also a mocker, and those deceived by it are not wise.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
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Lastly, the New Testament speaks, following the long tradition of the Old Covenant. Jesus, Paul, and the apostles proclaim unity in their message in this terrible condition.
Both Jesus and Paul used a word that we render in English as “moron.” Boy, I hate to be called a moron, because I have acted like one in the past on occasion. Help us, dear Lord…without a change of heart and then action, these fools are headed to the lake of fire. This is as serious as it gets.
Here’s the Greek word family for this term: moros; moraino; moria; dull, stupid, foolish, tasteless
Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool (moron),’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Matthew 7:26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man (moron) who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 23:17 You fools (morons) and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
Matthew 25:2-3 Five of them were foolish (morons), and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
Matthew 25:8 The foolish (morons) said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools
Note how many times Paul uses this word family to communicate with the carnal Corinthians, who arguably are fitting the bill. Many American and western church groups can make the Corinthians look “perfect” in comparison.
1 Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1 Cor. 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Cor. 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
1 Cor. 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Cor. 1:27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
1 Cor. 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
1 Cor. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
1 Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;
1 Cor. 4:10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
2 Tim. 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
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Other passages on fools from other Greek words:
Mark 7:22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Romans 1:14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2 Cor. 11:1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.
2 Cor. 11:17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
2 Cor. 11:21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself.
Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
1 Tim. 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Titus 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
James 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
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Whew! Well, there you have it. Quite a few passages, no?
The Bible has a lot to say about fools.
We may never hear this in the average simple church, home group, or institutional church. Not a popular subject and it might just stop the flow of money if a series was preached – especially with application and examples in our lives…
May the word “fool” in any of these definitions never be applied to us…never. If any of us are trapped by these descriptions in the least respect, let’s cry out it the Spirit for help. And He will answer your petition. Boldly come before the throne of grace to find grace in our time of need. Yes, the Father is faithful. Repentance is a wonderful thing, and we need to do so, and walk with accountability with others who will tell you the truth with courage.
Help us, dear Father God. Everyone is watching us as serious believers following Jesus. We appreciate your unconditional merciful love in John 3:16. But those of us who love all Your word know the true truth, the rest of the story that has sinfully been suppressed in all unrighteousness for years.
Do you see yourself often in these words? Have others tried to speak to you about this with evidence?
Let us not play the fool. Fools do not inherit the kingdom. It’s a real bad thing, to say the least, to end up in hell and the lake of fire!
Maybe this would help too:
ARE YOU A SEEKER OR STONEWALLER? [MONDAY MANNA 73]
IDENTIFYING STONEWALLERS WHO BLOCK YOUR TRUTH [DEAR BRETHREN 4]
UNITY: FINDING THE LORD’S MIND TOGETHER – PART 1 [MONDAY MANNA 148]
Every grace today, beloved….
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
