Who Are the Fools?

Since today is April Fools Day, I might as well deal with those people who are truly foolish. The Bible has much to say about fools and it uses examples to help us become wiser.

According to the Bible, being an atheist is foolish. Psalms 14:1 (BBE) reads, "(To the chief music-maker. Of David.) The foolish man has said in his heart, 'God will not do anything.' They are unclean, they have done evil works; there is not one who does good."

In fact, respecting God makes a person wise. Check out what Psalms 111:10 (BBE) has to say. "The fear of the Lord is the best part of wisdom: all those who keep his laws are wise: his praise is eternal."

So, how do we grow in wisdom? Proverbs 8:13 (BBE) explains, "The fear of the Lord is seen in hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false tongue, are unpleasing to me."

Unrestrained anger is another trap we, and especially fools, can fall into. As Solomon noted in Ecclesiastes 7:9 (BBE), "Be not quick to let your spirit be angry; because wrath is in the heart of the foolish."

But there is one sort of "foolishness" which Scripture approves of. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18 (BBE), "For the word of the cross seems foolish to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God."

We easily see how preaching about the crucifixion of our Lord and the need for repentance seems idiotic to worldly people. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV) showing why this is. "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

The world thinks we're fools while being far more foolish themselves. I'll add this to my next paperback called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People must accept that Christ is the only one who can grant them entrance into heaven. Forsaking sin and following Jesus are the only actions our Lord will accept.

On Thursday, I'll post about why we must study the Bible. After all, we call ourselves Christians so we ought to know what our Lord has taught.