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.

Saturday Song: The Electric Light Orchestra, "Evil Woman"

As with men, there are righteous and wicked women. Perhaps the most pathetic relationship is a cunning woman enticing a foolish and young man. Many times, people need to learn the hard way.

Listen to this Saturday's song here.

King Solomon wrote about a wicked and careless woman luring a foolish man into her lair. Proverbs 9:13-18 (KJV) says, "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: 'Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:' and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.' But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

In this proverb, the woman was foolish because sin always leads to hell. The man was foolish for figuring he could get away with joining in her sin.

The way to turn and go God's way is expressed in Psalms 111:10 (KJV). "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."

We all must heed the Lord's command in Ezekiel 33:11 (KJV). "Say unto them, 'As I live,' saith the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?'"

I hope what I've written will cause people to do a spiritual U-turn. That's what the Lord wants. How wonderful it is that he doesn't take pleasure in the destruction of sinners. We'd all be dead if that were the case.