Whose Fool Are You?

by Cowboy Bob Sorensen

The first definition of "fool" at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is:

fool
noun \ˈfül\
: a person who lacks good sense or judgment : a stupid or silly person

Easy enough. People use the word causally and often synonymously with other expressions of contempt for someone's intelligence. That's expected in modern terminology.

In the Bible, however, "fool" has a deeper meaning. The Hebrew word used in Psalms 14.1 and 53.1 is נָבָל, meaning not only lacking sense, but having moral failings — a vile person. The vile person says, "There is no God". When the Creator of the universe calls you a fool, you need to wake up and make changes.

How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever. (Psalm 92.5-8, ESV)

 Here are some other characteristics of fools:

• Their own words cause their downfall, "The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction." (Prov. 10.14, HCSB)
• Fools spread lies to hurt others, "He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool." (Prov. 10.18, World English Bible)
• A fool thinks he's clever, "A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.  (Prov. 2:15, HCSB)
• You can see what they are, "Every sensible person acts knowledgeably, but a fool displays his stupidity. (Prov. 13.16, HCSB)
• Stay away, "Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly. (Prov. 17:12, NASB)
• One of my favorites, and something I see almost daily is how the fool wants to run his mouth but refuses to learn (prejudicial conjecture), "A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion." (Prov. 18:2, WEB)
• A fool will run his mouth and cause trouble and may provoke someone to slap him, "A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating." (Prov. 18:6, NIV)
• If you have to talk to a fool, do not answer him in the same way he or she is talking. Instead, show him the truth so he does not consider himself wise. This contrast is sometimes called the "Don't answer/answer strategy", and can be read at this link, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes." (Prov 26:4-5, NKJV)
• A common problem with fools is pride, "One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe." (Prov. 28:26, WEB)

These are only a few of the verses describing fools. We see that they are to be avoided as much as possible, they cause trouble, are unwilling to learn — yet are full of pride. God implores us many times to get wisdom. Some people spend the greater part of their lives learning the wisdom of the world, but such wisdom is worthless compared to true wisdom. True wisdom comes from God, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Prov. 1.7, KJV).

Some people say, "Prove to me that God exists!" Whenever that happens, if you answer the fool according to his folly you will be wasting your time. He or she has a worldview and presuppositions, and such a demand usually comes from someone based on materialism. The Bible-believing Christian also has presuppositions. Theirs is materialism, ours is the fact that the Word of God is true. God tells us that they already know, but suppress the truth. People find excuses to disbelieve in the God who is real, come up with their false wisdom like materialism and evolutionism. This site and others document how evolutionists will come up with all sorts of excuses and accusations (many irrational and desperate) to cling to evolutionism. However, "Professing to be wise, they became fools..." (Romans 1.18-22)

"A fool [vile person] gives full vent to his anger", Proverbs 29.11. Also, count the logical fallacies.

One of the foundations for evolution is uniformitarianism ("the present is the key to the past", or that processes we see now are the way they've always been). The fossils and geology attest to the Flood, not to long ages and gradual processes. Frankly, the long time gradual process thing is an assumption based on metaphysics. Is this what Peter was talking about?

Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. (2 Peter 3:3-6, ESV)

God is patient and has given us what we need for repentance, salvation and true knowledge. But the world will not continue forever. Peter continues,

"But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3.9-10, ESV)

The world had a beginning. It will also end. You and I will come to an end. People who reject God are separated from him and their eyes are blinded (1 Cor. 2.14). They are under control of Satan (John 8.44). Jesus is God the Creator, who became a man to save sinners from the wrath of God (John 1.1-3, Col. 1.13-20). Time is running out. I implore you to receive the gift of God and the love of Christ while you still can.

Don't be a fool.

Me? I'm a fool in the eyes of the world. Big deal. God is my father and he is the one I want to please. By the way, I used "theWord" free Bible software which saved me a great deal of work.