I am not aware of anyone normal who is amenable to being called a “fool” or “foolish.” Those words are offensive and pejorative terms that can easily trigger outrage and strife. But truthfully and sadly, all of us have acted like fools and displayed foolishness as sinners who needed and still need God’s saving wisdom in our lives.

Fools and foolishness seem to be multiplying at an unprecedented rate and our culture is suffering greatly because of it. Believers must avoid this lifestyle and display God’s wisdom (Jam. 3:13–18).

Reading through Scripture (especially the book of Proverbs), you can’t help but see the dishonor and disgrace of a fool.

There are two main kinds of fools and one is rarely recognized or discussed. Take a look at the following descriptions and make sure you’re the right kind of fool.

The dishonorable fool: Jesus warns us about calling others fool (Matt. 5:22), but mercifully tells us what a fool is.

They treat sin lightly (Prov. 10:23; 13:19; 14:9; Eccl. 5:1).
They are deceived about their own hearts (Rom. 1:21–23).
They are arrogant and careless (Prov. 14:16).
They respond to seduction easily and quickly (Prov. 7:21–23).
They squander money (Prov. 21:20).
They get greedy about money (Luke 12:15–22).
They harbor anger and resentment (Prov. 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; 29:11; Eccl. 7:9).
They are destroyed by their friendships (Prov. 13:20).
They are ruined by their complacency (Prov. 1:32).
They believe they are always right (Prov. 12:15; 14:3).
They reject reproof (Prov. 17:10; 23:9; 26:4–5; 27:22; 29:9).
They trust their own hearts (Prov. 28:25–26; Luke 11:40).
They resist and reject the Lord (Prov. 14:16; 19:3; Psa. 14:1: 53:1; 1 Cor. 2:14).
They hate true knowledge (Prov. 1:22).
They spread slander (Prov. 10:18).
They are deceptive and lie (Prov. 14:8; 15:7; 17:7).
They get into arguments easily (Prov. 18:6; 20:3; 2 Tim. 2:23).
They speak without listening (Prov. 18:13; 29:20).
They talk too much (Eccl. 10:12–14; 5:3; 10:14).
They can appear wise by keeping silent (Prov. 17:28).
They are destroyed by their tongue (Prov. 10:14; 18:7).
They rely on their own feelings (Prov. 14:33; 18:2; 29:11).
They bring grief and heartache to their parents (Prov. 10:1; 15:5, 20; 17:21; 17:25; 19:13).
They die without wisdom (Prov. 10:21).
They don’t keep their promises (Eccl. 5:4).
They produce a legacy of shame (Prov. 3:35; 10:8; 11:29; 26:1).
They are to be avoided by the wise (Prov. 14:7; 23:9).
They are to be called out for their folly (Prov. 26:4–5).
They think they can grow their own faith without the Spirit (Gal. 3:3).
They don’t recognize that “faith without works is useless” (Jam. 2:20).
They are called by God to forsake their foolishness (Prov. 8:5; 9:60; Luke 24:25–27).

The honorable fool: This is a disciple of Christ who lives by God’s wisdom and looks foolish to the world.

Disciples know they were foolish in their sin (Titus 3:3; 1 Cor. 3:18).
Disciples embrace “the word of the cross” that is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is salvation to those who believe (1 Cor. 1:18, 21).
Disciples know God uses the foolishness of the gospel to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27).
Disciples are “fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Cor. 4:10).

Stay close to this truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7).

Pastor Jeff