Introduction⤒🔗

There is the story about a man who rode his bicycle into an inner-city park, climbed up onto a soapbox, and began to preach that people should ignore the law against stealing because no one should be poor while others are rich. After he finished his discourse, he stepped down from his soapbox and headed for his bike, only to discover that it had been stolen! The man was furious. He shouted, “Where’s the bum who stole my bike!?!”¹

How would you classify such a man? The term “fool” would be a very apt description: the man did display some of the traits characteristic of a fool. By exhorting people to disregard the law against stealing, he advocated a course of behavior that is contrary to the biblical standard; this is a mark of a fool. The man personally reaped the consequences of the sinful course he advocated, this is what happens to a fool. Having suffered the consequences of the sinful course he himself advocated, the man proceeded to rant and rave about what had happened to him; this, too, is characteristic of a fool.

Our next topical study from the Book of Proverbs turns our attention to the subject of the fool.

There are many things Proverbs says about the fool, but we shall confine ourselves to three of the major themes: 1) a fool refuses to accept biblical counsel or abide by the biblical standard; 2) a fool fails to exercise self-control; and, 3) a fool suffers the consequences of his choices.

Don’t Act Like a Fool! On the Contrary, Accept Godly Counsel (Prov. 10:8; 15:5; 28:26)←⤒🔗

The wise in heart will accept commandments, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (Prov. 10:8)←↰⤒🔗

In contrast to the wise man, a fool will not receive instruction; he will not accept the counsel of God. Remember the exasperating question divine wisdom posed concerning the fool in the first chapter of Proverbs:

^22cHow long will...fools hate knowledge? ²⁹they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD; ³⁰they would not accept any of my advice, they despised my rebuke. Prov. 1:22c, 29-30

By contrasting “the wise in heart” with “a chattering fool,” Proverbs 10:8 is emphasizing the fact that a fool is more interested in expressing himself than in receiving sound biblical instruction. Note, also, Proverbs 18:2, “A fool has no delight in understanding; his only concern is to express his heart.” The fool has “no delight in understanding,” no joy in gaining godly knowledge and wisdom; his only desire is to “express his heart.” In other words, his only desire is to express his opinion and the emotions of his heart. Note the resistance of the fool to having his mind trained to think in godly terms and the determination for his heart (the seat of the emotions and the will) to express itself.

A fool despises his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds rebuke acquires prudence. (Prov. 15:5)←↰⤒🔗

The Hebrew term, מוּ סרַ, from the root word, יסָרַ , sometimes translated “instruction,” also includes correction and discipline; it is the parental training that is intended to shape a child’s character in the way of righteousness. A fool “despises” such training: he resists it, rejects it, and disregards it as something that is of no value to him. Why? A fool does so because he has no interest in being instructed and trained, his chief interest is in expressing his heart: “A fool has no delight in understanding; his only concern is to express his heart” (Prov. 18:2). Let us take to heart the description of the fool and heed the counsel of Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not reject the LORD’s discipline and do not become tired of his rebuke, ¹²for the LORD rebukes those whom he loves, just as a father rebukes the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:11-12).

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be kept safe. (Prov. 28:26)←↰⤒🔗

A fool puts his confidence in the impulses, feelings, and desires of his own heart: if it “feels right” he will just do it. The fool chooses to make his heart his standard and authority, instead of the Word of God. In so doing he follows a subjective, personalized standard as opposed to the objective, divinely authoritative standard of God’s Word. Contrast Proverbs 12:15a (“The way of a fool seems right to him”) with Joshua 24:15 (“as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”).

What are you doing when you make your own heart your standard and authority instead of the Word of God? You are usurping God’s position as the One who defines good and evil, right and wrong, truth and error. You are usurping God’s position as the One who demands our trust and commitment. One may seek to justify the decisions derived from his own heart (and that are in opposition to the Scriptures) by insisting that “I feel at peace about my decision,” or, “I believe God spoke to my heart;” but note what the LORD Himself says about those who maintain such a position:

¹⁴Then the LORD said to me, 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and delusions of their own minds. ¹⁵Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: ‘I did not send them... Those prophets will perish.’ Jer. 14:14-15

Don’t Act Like a Fool, by refusing to allow your mind and life to be trained in the ways of righteousness by the Word of God, and by choosing, rather, to allow your life to be governed by the feelings, impulses and desires of your own sinful heart. On the contrary, accept godly counsel and live by it.

Don't Act Like a Fool! On the Contrary, Exercise Self-Control (Prov. 10:14; 18:6; 29:11; 14:16; 17:24)←⤒🔗

A Fool Fails to Exercise Self-Control Over His Mouth←↰⤒🔗

Wise men store up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool invites ruin. (Prov. 10:14)←↰⤒🔗

A wise man “stores up knowledge.” He receives knowledge, (information that is true, valuable, constructive, useful), he stores it up for future use, and he uses that knowledge with discretion.

But the mouth of the fool “invites ruin.” The mouth of the fool is an ever-present source of potential destruction; because of his rash, thoughtless, often times worthless utterances, the mouth of the fool always has the potential to stir up trouble and bring about disaster. May we make the prayer of the Psalmist to be our prayer: “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psl. 141:3).

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth invites a beating. (Prov. 18:6)←↰⤒🔗

A fool cannot keep silent, he cannot let a matter (such as an insult or injury) pass by, he feels compelled to pursue it and enter into contention. Note the testimony of the following Proverbs:

A stone is heavy and sand has great weight, but a fool’s vexation is heavier than both of them! Prov. 27:3

A fool, (one who places such great emphasis on the emotions, feelings, impulses of his heart), allows himself to become easily aggravated and feels compelled to express that aggravation. As Proverbs 27:3 expresses it, the fool’s vexation or aggravation is heavier than both a stone and the sand—he cannot bear the weight of it, he feels that he must relieve himself by expressing his heart. We should also take note of Proverbs 20:3, “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”

A Fool Fails to Exercise Self-Control Over His Anger←↰⤒🔗

A fool expresses all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and calms himself. (Prov. 29:11)←↰⤒🔗

A wise man holds back his anger; he restrains it and stills it, (literally, “in the back he stills it”). A wise man senses when his anger is rising and he takes appropriate measures to calm it down. He takes those measures while his anger is still “in the back” and has not yet come to the forefront of his emotions so as to adversely control his behavior.

What are some of the consequences of the fool’s failure to control his anger?

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty spirit exalts folly. Prov. 14:29

A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty, for if you deliver him, you must do so again. Prov. 19:19

An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man commits an abundance of transgressions. Prov. 29:22

A Fool Fails to Exercise Self-Control Over His Conduct←↰⤒🔗

A wise man fears and turns away from evil; but the fool behaves arrogantly and is confident. (Prov. 14:16)←↰⤒🔗

In contrast to the wise man whose life and conduct are governed by godly fear, the fool is characterized by reckless neglect and a confidence that defies all godly warning against sin and its deadly consequences. Literally, the fool allows himself “to go beyond,” (the Hebrew word is nב_ַ עָ), the proper limits, being confident that no harm will befall him—being confident that God will protect him and spare him from the consequences of his presumptuous behavior. The message of this proverb is well summarized by the adage: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

There is a holy boldness that trusts God and does what is right despite the threats of evil, as exemplified, for instance, in the behavior of the apostles:

Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ^28'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.' ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men.' Acts 5:27-29

But there is also an unholy boldness that tests God by exposing ourselves to evil despite the warning of God against such a practice—note the admonition of Romans 13:13-14,

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy; ¹⁴rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make any provision for the sinful nature so as to fulfill its lusts.

A Fool Fails to Exercise Self-Control Over His Life←↰⤒🔗

Wisdom is in front of the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth. (Prov. 17:24)←↰⤒🔗

A man who has understanding keeps his eyes focused on godly wisdom. He seeks to ascertain how Christ would conduct Himself in a given situation, and he seeks to do the same. He strives to observe the Word of God, consulting it for his decisions and allowing it to govern his conduct. By so doing, wisdom is readily accessible to him, it is before his face.

“But the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.” His eyes, and thoughts and heart, drift anywhere and everywhere: he has no spiritual focus or godly discipline.

Let us consider and heed the counsel of Scripture as presented in Hebrews 12:1-2a,

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Don’t Act Like a Fool, by failing to exercise control over your mouth, your anger, your conduct, and the direction of your life. On the contrary, by the grace of Christ, exercise self-control.

Don’t Act Like a Fool, Or You will Suffer the Consequences for It (Prov. 26:3; 19:3; 13:20)←⤒🔗

A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the back of fools. (Prov. 26:3)←↰⤒🔗

The horse is headstrong and free-spirited, the donkey is stubborn and defiant, and the fool is classified with both of them! Just as the horse and the donkey encounter harsh measures to counteract their resistance to human authority and control, so shall the fool encounter similarly harsh measures in consequence of resisting divine authority: “Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools” (Prod. 19:29). Proverbs 19:29 asserts, “beatings [the strokes of the whip in punishment for offenses committed] are prepared for the back of fools.” Such punishments have been established by God, made ready by Him, and shall be employed by Him, because God will not tolerate indefinitely the abuse and denial of His truth and righteousness. The fool is set on a course that must inevitably meet with such measures.

A man’s own foolishness ruin’s his life; nevertheless, his heart rages against the LORD. (Prov. 19:3)←↰⤒🔗

A man’s own foolishness and folly ruin his life—his own sinful choices or sinful reactions to trials and circumstances may bring his life to ruin. But rather than acknowledge his own responsibility or yield to the LORD’s will, the fool’s heart “rages against the LORD”—the LORD (Jehovah), the faithful, covenant-keeping God.

The fool seeks to put the blame on God: fretting and even raging against the LORD when He withholds His blessing, or when He exercises His prerogative to bring trials into a man’s life, or when He in His justice causes the man to reap the consequences of his own foolish choices.

Walk with wise men and you will become wise, but whoever is a companion with fools shall suffer for it. (Prov. 13:20)←↰⤒🔗

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest... ¹⁷After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. ¹⁸They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem... ²⁴Although the Syrian army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.2 Chron. 24:2,17-18, 24

Don’t Act Like a Fool, by being headstrong and set in your own ways, by subverting your own life and then blaming God, or by associating with such people who behave like fools. If you do these things, you will suffer for it.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

In our topical study from the Book of Proverbs on the subject of fools, we have concentrated on three main themes: 1) a fool refuses to accept biblical counsel; 2) a fool fails to exercise self-control and self-discipline; and, 3) a fool suffers the consequences of his choices.

By the grace of God, you have as a Christian been called to be a disciple of Christ, not a fool; therefore, let us rely on God’s grace and act like Christ our Savior, and not like a fool.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What is the characteristic of a wise man? See Prov. 10:8a As a Christian, do you look to the LORD for guidance (Psl. 25:15) and do you observe His commandments (Jn. 14:21)? In contrast to a wise man, what is the characteristic of a fool, and what is the result? See Prov. 10:8b,

The wise in heart will accept commandments, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Prov. 10:8

My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.Psl. 25:15

The one who has my commandments and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. The one who loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and I will reveal myself to him. Jn. 14:21

2. How does a fool respond to discipline? See Prov. 15:5a How do you respond to the LORD’s discipline, applied to you by means of trials or administered by devout Christian leaders? How should we respond to such discipline? See Prov. 3:11-12,

A fool despises his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds rebuke acquires prudence. Prov. 15:5

My son, do not reject the LORD’s discipline and do not become tired of his rebuke, ¹²for the LORD rebukes those whom he loves, just as a father rebukes the son in whom he delights. Prov. 3:11-12

3. What does Proverbs 10:14b tell us about the mouth of a fool? What does it mean that his mouth “invites ruin”? In what ways is a fool’s mouth a potential source of destruction? See Prov. 18:6 and Prov. 12:16 As a Christian, should you not join with the Psalmist in the prayer he offers to the LORD in Psalm 141:3? Note, too, Jas. 1:19-20,

Wise men store up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool invites ruin. Prov. 10:14

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth invites a beating. Prov. 18:6

A fool immediately makes known what irritates him; but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Prov. 12:16

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psl. 141:3

Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰for the wrath of man does not perform the righteousness of God. Jas. 1:19-20

4. How are the wise man and the fool contrasted in Proverbs 14:16? As a Christian, is your life governed by a godly reverential fear of the LORD that inspires you to turn away from evil? Note Heb. 11:7 In contrast, what might cause a fool to act with “confidence,” (i.e. to act presumptuously)? Note Rom. 6:15,

A wise man fears and turns away from evil; but the fool behaves arrogantly and is confident. Prov. 14:16

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved by godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household... Heb. 11:7

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Rom. 6:15

5. According to Proverbs 19:3a, what ruins a man’s life, but what does he do? See Prov. 19:3b How is this exemplified in the lives of the Israelites? See Num. 13:1-2, 31; 14:1-3 Has there ever been a time that you have done the same as Israel? In contrast to the fool, how does a godly man respond to adversity resulting from his own misconduct? See Psl. 25:18,

A man’s own foolishness ruin’s his life; nevertheless, his heart rages against the LORD. Prov. 19:3

^13:1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ²Send men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel. Send one of the leaders from each of their fathers’ tribes...³¹But the men who had gone up with [Caleb] protested, 'We are not able to attack those people, for they are stronger than we are.'... ^14:1The whole congregation raised their voices and wailed, and that night the people wept. ²All the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt, or that we had died in this wilderness! ³Why has the LORD brought us to this land, so that we might be killed with the sword? Num. 13:1-2, 31; 14:1-3

Consider my affliction and my travail; and forgive all my sins.Psl. 25:18