Articles
Year-Round Fools
Since today is also April Fool's Day, we might be wise to consider what God's word says about the fool — who God calls a fool, and what the identifying marks and habits are — so we may ensure we are not the one of whom God speaks in such cases. I know this to be true, for the wise writer tells us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Prov. 12:15). Let us listen to God's counsel that we may be called 'wise' by Him.
Who Is Called A Fool? We are not interested in what man says about this, for man often calls foolish even the things of God (cf. 1 Cor. 1:22; 1 Cor. 2:14). Our interest is in whom God calls a fool, for we may know that to be absolutely true. So, what does He say?
The one who says ‘There is no God.’ The psalmist tells us, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psa. 14:1). I know that today, especially, the highly educated ones [a great majority of those in the scientific fields, but not limited to that area] profess to be wise and make bold claims that they 'know' God does not exist, and that they alone can explain our origins [and God isn't in the picture]. This despite the abundance of evidence — to any honest observer — that there had to be a supremely-intelligent designer and Creator. Paul notes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:18-22). To many scientists and others, there just cannot even be mentioned the possibility of God, though the evidence clearly shows it; so strong is the evidence that God tells us they are “without excuse” for not acknowledging to whom the evidence points.
I know many intelligent individuals have swallowed hook, line, and sinker the unprovable theories of our origin, and now teach it as if it is fact. While they may appear to be 'wise' to many men now, when they stand before the One they have denied all their life, they will be exposed for the fools they really are and have been. Don't put your trust in the wisdom of man, for we only know what we have discovered, while God knows all, Our Creator has told us how we got here, why we are here, and what awaits us after this life; let's listen to the one who really knows and is truly wise.
The one who trusts in self. The wise writer also tells us, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Prov. 28:26). Far too many men have shown themselves foolish by trusting in their own opinion, rather than in facts and evidence, and this will likely always be true. Especially in spiritual matters, men prove themselves foolish by trusting in their 'feelings,' rather than in what God's word actually says and demands. Churches are filled with people who are there because they 'feel' it is right, and have not bothered to actually look into God's word to see what He says about it, or what He desires.
Far too often, when the truth is taught, men respond with condemnation, declaring, "God is too loving to condemn [whatever sin they seek to justify]!" Even today, men have condemned God's word on certain sins as 'hate speech' and threaten punishment to those who speak it plainly. Far too often, men trust in themselves as the standard for what is right or wrong — or if there is even such a thing — and prove themselves the biggest fools of all. You see, it will not be our opinion or even popular opinion that will judge us in the last day. Jesus has said plainly, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
The one who speaks too much. The wise writer tells us, “A fool also multiplies words” (Eccl. 10:14), and, “a fool’s voice is known by his many words” (Eccl. 5:3). The foolishness of the one who talks too much lies in the fact he quite often talks about things of which he knows little or nothing at all — but continues talking anyway! In an effort to look 'intelligent' or 'smart' to others, the foolish one will continue to talk well past his knowledge, until it becomes evident to all who listen that he is not the one he would have them believe. Alas, he reveals himself as the fool!
Again, in spiritual matters, this is too often the case. Men reveal themselves to be foolish when they try to explain what God has not revealed, entering into speculation and theory and leading men astray by such fanciful theories that evolve into official doctrines that must be 'defended.' If we seek to avoid being called the fool, let us acknowledge that God has not revealed all things to us (cf. Deut. 29:29), and some things are simply beyond our comprehension (Eccl. 8:17; Job 42:3). Let us be content with what God has revealed, and speak only of the things we understand, lest we be known as the fool!
The one who lays up treasure on earth, and is not rich toward God. We are probably familiar with the story of the foolish rich man, so called because he focused on his material possessions to the neglect of his soul. In the story Jesus told, this man was blessed with abundance, but instead of thanking God for His abundance and trusting in Him, he sought comfort in those possessions. He said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry’” (Luke 12:16-19). But God said to this man, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (v. 20).
The truth is, all the things of this material world — no matter how good they may be, how reliable they may be, or how sturdy and well-built they may be — are merely temporary. Paul reminds us, “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18); why put a lifetime of effort toward that which is temporary, when God points us to the eternal things? Furthermore, Peter reminds us that, in the end, “the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10); knowing it will all be destroyed in the end, why waste a lifetime accumulating it all? Especially since “when [a man] dies he shall carry nothing away” (Psa. 49:17), and when a man dies, “shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand” (Eccl. 5:15), why waste a lifetime building up treasures which will be left behind and be destroyed? Wouldn't it be wiser to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20)? Wouldn't it be wiser to seek “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven” (1 Pet. 1:4)?
Yes, it would be wise to do that, but it would also be wise to acknowledge God exists, to trust in Him, and to say little.
Don't be the fool! —— Steven Harper
