The Fool

Foolishness is like a disease of the mind, slowly consuming a person until it brings about destruction. A fool is someone who refuses to heed wisdom or learn from correction. Lacking reverence for God and disregarding the principles of life, they repeat their errors just as a dog returns to its vomit.

To the fool, God’s way appears absurd. As the Bible says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Foolishness stems from misusing the intellect that God has gifted us. A fool employs their reasoning to make wrong choices, often leading them down a destructive path. The most basic form of foolishness is denying God's existence or rejecting His will. Scripture links folly to quick tempers, corrupt speech, and disobedience to parents. Although we are born with an inherent foolishness, discipline and instruction can train us in the way of wisdom.

No status, age, or wealth exempts a person from being a fool. As Job 32:9 reminds us, “Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.”

I, too, have been a fool—perhaps still transitioning from folly to wisdom. I once indulged in the pleasures of the world, embracing anything that came my way. Unaware of the difference between right and wrong, I arrogantly pursued the temptations and attractions of this life.

But as Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

We all make mistakes at one point or another, asking ourselves, "How could I have been so blind or foolish?" But the goal is not to dwell on past mistakes but to move forward to a better place.

Yet, some of our foolish decisions linger, haunting us even in the present. The enemy takes every opportunity to remind us of our past sins, hoping to lure us back into those same desires.

Titus 3:3 says, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

But when a person meets God, they become a new creation. Their mindset shifts, and their actions follow suit. I truly believe that knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. The teachings of the Lord drive away foolishness and prepare us for His return.

Each of us was created to glorify God. However, a fool cannot perceive their purpose or understand God's will for their life. A fool lies, steals, fornicates, and commits other sins without remorse. As Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

There are many factors that can lead us into foolishness: false advice from others, surrounding ourselves with people who lack wisdom, being raised in a home full of folly, engaging with foolish lovers, or losing control when given wealth. Even joining a church with misguided teachings can lead us astray.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 warns us: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.”

Our foolishness creates a separation from God, to the point where He no longer hears our prayers or takes pleasure in our worship and sacrifices.

To rid ourselves of foolishness, we must also distance ourselves from foolish people, for their empty, senseless words can infect us with their folly.

2 Corinthians 6:17 calls us to action: “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

We must cast aside our earthly, carnal minds, personal feelings, and limited views, instead choosing to see everything through the lens of God's Word. The Word of God will drive out all the foolishness of this world and align our mind, body, and soul with heavenly things.

As Jesus said in John 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

I pray that we all may be partakers in the first resurrection, for it is not God's will that anyone should perish due to foolishness.