The Fool
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Proverbs 1:7 tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Rejecting God, either completely or partially, is the definition of foolishness. The smartest, most accomplished, richest, most influential, most confident men who live on this earth today, if they don’t believe in God, are utter fools. "So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Every person to ever live will one day bow the knee to Christ and will acknowledge him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, not them. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." God’s ways are above all human comprehension. As we align our will to His, we will walk in the light of His truth. "To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 16:27). This verse emphasizes the unique and infinite wisdom of God and highlights His ultimate authority and sovereignty over all things. Only as we align our hearts, our desires, our temptations, our gifts and abilities, and our knowledge to Him are we living in wisdom. If not, we are fools.
Living as a fool can have devastating effects on our lives and the lives of those around us. We are called to seek wisdom and guidance from God, to be cautious and turn away from evil, to listen to others, and to focus on seeking knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 14:16 warns us that "A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless."
The book of Proverbs contains many descriptions of different types of fools, each with their own unique characteristics and behaviors. Here are a few examples:
The Simple Fool - Proverbs 1:22 says, "How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge." This type of fool is characterized by their lack of understanding and their unwillingness to seek knowledge or wisdom.
The Arrogant Fool - Proverbs 12:15 tells us that "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel." This type of fool is characterized by their arrogance and their refusal to listen to the advice or opinions of others.
The Slothful Fool - Proverbs 6:9-10 warns us against the slothful fool, saying, "How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 'A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest'-- Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man." This type of fool is characterized by their laziness and lack of motivation, which can lead to poverty and other negative consequences.
The Mocking Fool - Proverbs 14:9 warns us that "Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will." This type of fool is characterized by their mockery and disrespect towards God and His laws.
The Gossiping Fool - Proverbs 20:19 warns us that "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip." This type of fool is characterized by their tendency to spread rumors and gossip about others, which can harm relationships and cause division.
The Rebellious Fool - Proverbs 17:10 says, "A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool." This type of fool is characterized by their rebellion against authority and their refusal to submit to correction or discipline.
The "foolish son" - Proverbs 17:25 says, "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." This type of fool is someone who brings shame and disappointment to their parents through their foolish choices and behavior.
As we understand these different types of fools and their characteristics, we can better equip ourselves to recognize and avoid foolish behavior in ourselves and in others. We are called to seek wisdom and understanding, to listen to the advice of others, and to submit to correction and discipline in order to avoid the pitfalls of foolishness. When we live in this way, we can avoid the devastating effects of foolishness and instead live a life that is fulfilling, joyful, and pleasing to God and a blessing to others.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:5-7).
Questions to answer with our counselee
Do you recognize the difference between wisdom and foolishness? How do you define these terms, and how do you see them playing out in your life?
Have you ever made choices that you now recognize as foolish or unwise? What were the consequences of those choices, and how have they affected your life?
How do you approach decision-making? Do you seek God's wisdom and guidance, or do you rely solely on your own understanding and desires?
How do you respond to correction or feedback from others? Are you willing to listen and learn from wise counsel, or do you become defensive and resistant to change?
Do you struggle with pride or a desire to be in control? How does this affect your ability to seek and receive wisdom from God and others?
Are you aware of any areas of your life where you are particularly vulnerable to temptation or foolishness? How can you guard against these areas and seek accountability and support from others?
How does your faith in God and relationship with Jesus Christ impact your understanding of wisdom and foolishness? How can you lean on God's grace and guidance to grow in wisdom and avoid being a fool?
Stories to consider
Nabal (1 Samuel 25)
Nabal was a wealthy man who owned many flocks and herds. He lived in the town of Carmel with his wife Abigail. David and his men were in the area where Nabal lived, and they had been providing protection for Nabal's shepherds and flocks. David sent messengers to Nabal, asking for provisions as a reward for their service. However, Nabal, described as “harsh and evil in his dealings,” and as “such a worthless man, no one could speak to him,” responded harshly and insultingly to David's request, refusing to give him and his men anything.
David was enraged by Nabal's response and prepared to attack him and his household. However, Nabal's wife Abigail, described as a “intelligent and beautiful in appearance,” heard of the situation and took action. She gathered provisions for David and his men and went to meet them, begging for their forgiveness and offering them the provisions. David was touched by Abigail's wisdom and kindness, and he decided to spare Nabal and his household.
However, because of Nabal’s foolishness, God took his life. "Then Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; so she did not tell him anything at all until the morning light. But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
This passage illustrates the danger of living a life of excess and indulgence, and the consequences that can result from foolish and irresponsible behavior. Nabal's lack of wisdom and discernment ultimately led to his downfall, as God judged him for his foolishness. Abigail, as a result of her wisdom and discernment, became David’s wife.
Solomon (1 Kings)
Solomon, the son of King David, is known as the wisest man to ever live. He was blessed by God with incredible wisdom, wealth, and fame. However, despite his many accomplishments and great wisdom, Solomon's heart was led astray by his many wives and concubines. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Many of these women were from foreign nations and worshiped other gods. Despite God's warning to the Israelites not to marry foreign wives and worship other gods, Solomon disregarded this command and allowed his wives to turn his heart away from the one true God.
The irony of Solomon's situation is that despite being the wisest man to ever live, he was not wise enough to resist the temptation of his many wives and concubines. His great wisdom did not prevent him from falling into sin and disobeying God's commands. The consequences of Solomon's actions were severe. God warned him that his kingdom would be torn apart after his death and that his descendants would not continue to reign over Israel. This prophecy came true, as Solomon's son Rehoboam inherited a divided kingdom and eventually lost control over the northern tribes of Israel.
The story of Solomon serves as a cautionary tale for all of us. Even the most wise and accomplished individuals are not immune to temptation and sin. We must remain vigilant and guard our hearts against the lure of worldly pleasures and distractions. We must prioritize our relationship with God above all else and to seek His wisdom and guidance in all that we do.
We can read in the book of Ecclesiastes that Solomon’s pursuits of pleasure and indulgence were fleeting and ultimately empty and that there was little lasting value to be found in such pursuits. Ultimately, he repented and turned back the Lord. "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Verses for study
The fool
Psalm 14:1: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
Proverbs 13:20: “One who walks with the wise will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
2 Samuel 5:13—David took more wives for himself
Proverbs 1:20-33: “For the faithlessness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
Proverbs 10:10-12: “He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 12:15-16: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise.”
Proverbs 14:15: “The naive believes everything, but the sensible person considers his steps.”
Proverbs 14:16: “A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.”
Proverbs 14:18: “The naive inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.”
Proverbs 15:21: “Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, but a person of understanding walks straight.”
Proverbs 18:2: “A fool does not delight in understanding, but in revealing his own mind.”
Proverbs 20:3: “Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, but any fool will quarrel.”
Proverbs 26:10-12: “Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, so that he will not be wise in his own eyes.”
Seeking advice
Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”
Proverbs 12:15-16: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise.”
Proverbs 28:23: “One who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.”
2 Samuel 16:20-23: Absalom advised to sleep with David’s concubines in sight of all Israel
2 Samuel 17:14: Absalom sought advice on how to attack David and his men
1 Kings 12:1-15: Rehoboam accepted bad advice from his friends, and it cost him 10/12 of the kingdom
Proverbs 1:8-19: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not ignore your mother’s teaching”
Proverbs 2:1-19: “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you”
Proverbs 3:1-3: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but have your heart comply with my commandments”
Proverbs 4:1-9: “Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.”
Proverbs 4:20-23: “My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.”
Proverbs 7:1-4: “My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.”
Proverbs 13:10: “Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel.”
Proverbs 14:7: “Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.”
Proverbs 15:22: “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:31-32: “One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise. One who neglects discipline rejects himself, but one who listens to a rebuke acquires understanding.”
Proverbs 19:20: “Listen to advice and accept discipline, so that you may be wise the rest of your days.”
Proverbs 20:18: “Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.”
Proverbs 25:11-12: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver, as a word spoken at the proper time. Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold, is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.”
Proverbs 27:5-6: “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
Proverbs 29:5: “A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.”
Wisdom; discernment
Proverbs 2:1-19: “Make your ear attentive to wisdom; Incline your heart to understanding. For if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.”
Ephesians 5:15-17: So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Colossians 2:1-3: In Christ Himself is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
James 1:5-7: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,"
1 Kings 3:9-14: Solomon asked God for a wise and discerning heart to lead His people
1 Chronicles 12:32: the sons of Issachar (one of the 12 tribes) understood the times and knew what Israel should do
Psalm 37:30: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.”
Proverbs 1:2-6: “A wise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel”
Proverbs 1:20-33: “Wisdom shouts out in the street”
Proverbs 3:13-18: “Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, and one who obtains understanding.”
Proverbs 4:1-9: “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. “Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.”
Proverbs 8:1-11: “Does not wisdom call, and understanding raise her voice?”
Proverbs 9:1-6: “She has sent out her attendants, she calls out from the tops of the heights of the city: ‘Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!’”
Proverbs 13:20: “One who walks with wise people will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 14:16: “A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.”
Proverbs 18:15: “The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Proverbs 24:3-4: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Ecclesiastes 9:16: So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are ignored.
James 3:15-17: This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.
Proverbs 18:13: “One who gives an answer before he hears, it is foolishness and shame to him.”
Proverbs 20:5: “A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water, but a person of understanding draws it out.”
Put off | Put on
"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:22-24 ESV)
Put off: Satan; temptation; sin; slavery; false teachers; idols; selfishness; anger; gossip; pride; blaming God
Put on: God; repentance of my sin or forgiveness of another’s sin; Jesus; repentance unto salvation; Holy Spirit; sanctification; fruit; spiritual disciplines; identity in Christ; healthy emotions
