Chapter 59

Foolishness is one subject that the Bible covers extensively that may surprise most people. After all, foolishness is not that important is it? After all, we all act foolish sometimes, right? Wrong. Foolishness is an important issue because the Bible addresses it so often. If the Bible spends a lot of time addressing foolishness, then we would be foolish to ignore it.

When most of us think of foolishness, we recall times when people were playing or jesting. This is not the original meaning of foolishness. Foolishness is the lack of wisdom or common sense. When we consider the original meaning, then we can understand why it is so important to not act foolish. The term “fool” takes on greater significance. It is not simply someone with an unrestrained sense of humor; it is a person who is unwise or lacking in common sense.

Foolishness is further defined by the Scriptures. God does not simply leave it up to men to determine what is foolish and what is not. He knew that we often have ulterior motives and would redefine the term as needed; therefore, God tells us what is foolishness. God defines foolishness as:

The person who denies God is a fool. Psalms 53:1a, says it very clearly, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Foolishness is opposing God. Why? Because there is no way that man can ever oppose God and win. To try to do so is foolish. Sometimes people may not directly oppose God but they try to stop His plans and purposes. They often attack God’s people rather than try to go against God personally. This is foolishness though. As Proverbs 19:3 says, The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Foolishness is not heeding good instruction and direction. The person who avoids learning knowledge and disparages wisdom is a fool. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.^{^[1]} Remember this the next time someone is trying to teach you something important and you do not want to pay attention.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. ^{^[2]} Foolishness is also easily and loudly displayed by people who are always talking, even when they do not know anything about a subject. You know the ones. They are always talking and usually very loudly. Some of them even seem to think they are an expert on any and every subject possible. They all have an opinion and they are always willing to express it ad nauseum.

A lot of people do not pretend to be experts on every subject, rather, they simply want to argue about everything. This is described in Proverbs 9:13: A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. In trying to argue endlessly, the only thing the person is doing is proving to everyone that she is foolish. A wise person knows how to be gracious and quiet. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.^{^[3]}

Do you know a person that is easily angered? Then you know a fool. This is not man’s definition, but God’s. Proverbs 14:17 says, He that is soon to anger dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. The fool not only allows anger to freely flow through him, but also any other emotion. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. ^{^[4]} If you do not want to be a fool, then allow God’s Spirit to control you and do not act hastily because of anger or other strong emotions.

A fool is also a person that is quick to judge. He often makes up his mind before he has all of the facts. But the Bible says that, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.^{^[5]}

Do you know a wealthy person who thinks that their wealth is the most important thing to them? If so, then you know another fool. Anyone who puts their trust in their wealth is a fool. Why? Because wealth is something that we can easily lose. If we put our trust in God, however, we are completely secure and can be confident in our safety. Money and possessions can be stolen, lost, depleted and invalidated. During the American stock market crash in the 1930's, many people committed suicide because they thought their money was the most important thing. I am certain that when they entered eternity though, they quickly changed their mind, however, it was too late then. The Bible clearly says that,

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings.^{^[6]}

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.^{^[7]} It is foolishness to be deceitful. Many times people think they will get away with their dishonesty and lies, however, the Bible clearly tells us that, A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.^{^[8]} A fool lies thinking that he will get away with his deception and that the truth will be hidden.

Why is seeking after only knowledge foolishness? Should not that be wise? Not when you only seek knowledge. A wise person is one who has knowledge and understands how to apply it in a useful and constructive way. Knowledge is only part of the equation. This is what Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 means, And I [Solomon] gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

The foolish person is one who ignores what God says. He is someone who ignores God’s wisdom and does things his own way. He thinks he knows more than God does. The Bible gives an example of this in the parable of the man who built his house on rock and the man who built his house on sand.

[Jesus said,] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mind, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.^{^[9]}

A person who also argues about theology and God’s Word is also foolish. It is simply unwise for us to argue over what each verse means. This creates dissension between the Body of Christ. We should agree on the basic concepts of Christianity. Upon these basic tenets, we should create unity and work together to further the gospel of Christ. Titus 3:9 admonishes us to, But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. How much more effective the Church would be if we would do this. We could be a mighty force for God and much more effectively fight our true enemy, the devil. We spend too much time opposing one another and not our enemy though. Surely this grieves our Lord.

And when he [Jesus] had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.^{^[10]}

By now, you have probably gleaned from the above-referenced verses that foolishness is a sin. This is one of the primary reasons why we cannot treat it lightly. Christians should never ignore or excuse our sins. We are to repent of them. Ask God to forgive us and then turn away from it completely. As sinners, foolishness is a natural part of our lives but as Christians, it should be anathema to us.

Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.^{^[11]}

Although many times it may seem that fools get by with their foolishness, this is not true. We often do not see the suffering and punishment that foolish people endure. Sometimes they do not fully experience God’s judgment for their foolishness in this life. We can only see bits and pieces of people’s lives. We have yet to see what punishment that these foolish people will have to experience when they face God’s judgment. Eternity still awaits many of us. Let us not forget this or we risk being envious of the fool. We think that he has gotten away with his foolishness and that it is not fair. Often it seems that the fool reaps huge benefits from his folly. These benefits are only temporary though. We are to look at eternal wealth and not temporal gains. The psalmist recognized this when he wrote:

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleaned my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castest them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus was my heart grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was happy as a beast before thee.^{^[12]}

It is easy to become a fool, even if it is temporary. Sometimes we all do stupid things. Things we regret and wish we could take back but cannot. This is why we must be careful that we do not participate in foolishness. We must be diligent and submit to God’s Spirit to control us and lead us. It does not matter how wise or honorable we are, we can still be foolish. In one foolish moment, we can lose our good reputation and become known as a fool. The next time you are tempted to do something foolish, remember: Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly to him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.^{^[13]}

So, how should Christians treat foolish people? Many people believe that we should try to redeem the fool through cajoling, encouraging and even arguing with him. This is far from the truth though. Proverbs 14:7 tells us to, Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The reason that we are to avoid foolish people is simple: we cannot have peace if we are arguing or encouraging a fool. It only brings frustration. Proverbs 29:9 warns, If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. Next time you run into a foolish person who wants to argue or debate, simply walk away from him. You and those around you will be much happier that you did.

You may ask if foolishness is sinful, then what does the Bible mean when it says that the things of God are foolish? Actually, the Scriptures tell us that the things of God seem foolish to the natural man. This is because we do not have God’s wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We often judge things with our temporal information and comprehension. Only through the Holy Spirit can we understand God and His ways.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.^{^[14]}

This is why the Bible says that if someone seems to be wise, then let him become a fool so that he will truly be wise. In other words, only when we admit that with all of our knowledge, wisdom and understand combined, we still do not know anything compared to what God knows, understand and comprehends. Our wisdom is nothing compared to His.Therefore, if you must be a fool, then make certain you are a fool only in the world’s eyes and not God’s.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.^{^[15]}

^{^[1]}Proverbs 1:7

^{^[2]}Proverbs 15:2

^{^[3]}Ecclesiastes 10:12-13

^{^[4]}Proverbs 14:29

^{^[5]}Proverbs 18:13

^{^[6]}Psalms 49:6-13

^{^[7]}Proverbs 14:8

^{^[8]}Proverbs 19:5

^{^[9]}Matthew 7:24-27

^{^[10]}Mark 7:14-15 & 20-23

^{^[11]}Psalms 49:12-14

^{^[12]}Psalms 73:2-22

^{^[13]}Ecclesiastes 10:1

^{^[14]}I Corinthians 2:9-14

^{^[15]}I Corinthians 3:18-19