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Don't Be A Fool
Dennis Costella
© Fundamental Evangelistic Association

This study is for us.  The "fool" is not only the unsaved, but the saved who walk in the flesh instead of the Spirit. The Christian has two natures, the old and the new and, therefore, he can act foolishly, or righteously.  The choice is ours. From Proverbs we learn that the fool is ...

1.      Out of touch with reality, 12:15-(1^st), " The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.... "He needs no direction, asks no counsel, is self-willed and self-deceived (14:8). The fool feels secure in his adopted way of acting and thinking; he scoffs at the reality of pending dangers that lie ahead for the proud scorner.  What's wrong with me?  What'a you mean-I'm okay! (2^nd), "...but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.  " The opposite of this foolish attitude is a believer with a humble, teachable spirit.  This is the only way to attain unto wisdom and to really know what is true, about ourselves, others, our world, and our God.  Hear and heed godly counsel and things clear up fast (15:5).

2.      Emotionally out of control, 12:16- (1^st), "A fool's wrath is presently known... i.e., he has no command of himself.  As soon as there is the least provocation, he is offended and becomes angry (fool's pride easily hurt, 13: 1 0; 17:12).  Nothing wrong with feeling angry; it's how we deal with it that matters.  It must be controlled. (2^nd), but a prudent man covereth shame." Instead of venting anger and then receiving "shame" as a consequence of his rage, the "prudent," careful man immediately allows the Spirit to calm and control the inner man.  If our immediate response is to strike back, the prudent man will pray first so that the Spirit will regain control.

3.      Feeding on foolishness, 15:14-(1^st), "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge..."; the emphasis here is upon his appetite, his driving desire to know better how to please God.  His "heart" must be right with God before his desires seek and love the right things.  What do we want more of than anything else?  Is it to delight in fleshly revelling, or intermeddling with the things of God (18:1-2)?  (2^nd), “...but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."  The fool hungers after those things that will gratify the flesh, but which have no real value, no eternal benefit.  What do we feed on?  Worldly music, pleasures, entertainment, programs, philosophies, and attitudes?  Spiritually, too, we "are what we eat" (15:21).

4.      Speaking without thinking, 29:11-(1^st), "A fool uttereth all his mind... " yes, indeed, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin..." (10:19; 18:7).  Our tongues always get us into trouble.  The discipline of the tongue, or lack of the same, is a true test of character.  If we are prone to mumble on about everything that comes to mind, we are headed for disaster. (2^nd),"...but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  " Here is the key to the kind of foolish talk we are talking about here - speaking before we give proper thought to what needs to be said.  The wise man waits; the fool is more concerned about being heard and giving the impression he has something worthwhile to say.  Study, consider before giving an answer (15:28).

5.      Of no real use in God's work, 26:3-11-(1^st), The fool is too self-willed to be led of the Spirit into useful service.  You can make a horse or a mule get to work, but a fool only gets the rod of reproof (v. 3).  The fool has an adverse influence on others (v. 4), but his foolishness must still be rebuked for his own good (v. 5). (2^nd), Now notice how unreliable the fool is to perform what he has been called to do (vv. 6-7).  Fools are not worthy of honor (v. 8), know not of what they speak (v. 9), and have a nasty disposition for returning to the same filthy folly that got them into trouble before (v. 11).  The flesh has the upper hand and double mindedness reigns.

6.      Difficult to deal with, 29:9-(1^st), "If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man..., " and there will be times when we will have to deal with the fool, then we must be realistic about the probability of success.  Yes, the fool must be reproved and his foolish conjectures answered (26:3,5). (2^nd), "...whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.  " Don't count on a happy solution to the problem.  Unless God changes the fool's heart, his response to being confronted with truth is either rage or scornful laughter.  No rest, no peace, no lasting answer.  Avoid the fool (14:7).

7.      Hard times ahead for the fool, 18:6-7-(1^st), The proud fool is quick to speak, and to "enter into contention, " always looking for a fight, but "his mouth calleth for strokes " i.e., he is just asking for God to chasten him whether he is willing to admit it or not.  That's the issue, the fool is deceived into thinking he is all right, when in God's eyes he is all wrong. (2^nd), "Destruction " and a "snare of his soul" await the fool who rejects and resists the way of God as found in His Word.  Judgment lies ahead for the foolish believer, too, who fails to take seriously the loss that comes with high-mindedness and foolish pride.

Conclusion: The problem with considering the Bible "fool" is that we always tend to say that it applies to the unsaved, or to someone else rather than admitting that we play the part of the fool ourselves sometimes.  Let's understand the beast as revealed in Scripture, and then ask God to search our own hearts to see if there is need therein for a work of God's mercy and grace.  Our Lord delights to turn the fool into the fruitful, righteous, wise man or woman, boy or girl.

  "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psa. 139.23-24).

-Dennis Costella

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