The Fool

How often, in a fit of anger, we see one person getting angry at another one for a minor offence and then calling that person a name. Usually it is a derogatory name, implying that the person is dull of understanding – foolish. Sometimes the word ” fool” is used, but there are many other names that are used, however, they all have a similar meaning.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Mat. 5:22. In a moment we may use those words, however they have fearful consequences. The Bible does go on to say that, ” For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Mat. 12:37. Often we don’t think before we speak, but we should learn to guard our tongue.

Going back to Jesus’ words about calling someone a fool, reading from Mount of Blessing page 57, ” The literal translation of Raca is good for nothing, stupid. It is an expression of strong contempt. The Christian will treat even the most ignorant and degraded with respect and tenderness.” This is the difference between the true Christian and false Christian. Just watch how they treat the unlearned and ignorant, or how they react in a crisis.

“Thou fool – Dull or stupid. This word is used in Greek to show contempt for one’s motives also. In the first case the person is called ‘stupid’, in the second, ‘scoundrel,’ implying malicious intent. If Christ refused to bring a ‘railing accusation’ against the devil (Jude 9) we should refrain from doing so in regard to our fellow men. We are to leave with God the work of judging and condemning a man because of his motives. According to the Talmud a man who became guilty of slandering another by using the word ‘slave’ was to be excommunicated from the synagogue for 30 days and a man who called another ‘bastard’ was to receive 40 lashes. In the case of a man who called another ‘wicked,’ the one offended could ‘strive against,’ or ‘touch’ his life.” BC5, p. 335

We never saw Jesus getting angry and calling people names. However, in Matthew we can read of a description that He gives of the Jewish leaders, ” Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27. You could argue that He called them names. He called them ‘whited sepulchers.’ Actually, He was simply giving a description of their spiritual condition. He didn’t call any of the individual Jewish leader’s names.

What about the time He called Herod a fox? Was He not name-calling? ” The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” Luke 13:31,32. Herod was a very crafty man and Jesus was simply exposing his craftiness and this is the best example He could think of to compare his character with, so that the people would understand the kind of person he was. ” Though he was reckless in expenditures, his craftiness enabled him to keep peace in Galilee, and thus avoid the rebuke of Augustus, who understood his treacherous tendencies. Jesus read his character rightly when he called him ‘that fox.’ ” 5 BC 64.

People also say that Jesus was angry when He drove out the buyers and sellers in the temple, however, if you read closely, He never uttered one word in anger. He could have called them ” fools” because that is exactly how they were acting, but He never called any person a name.

If we read in the book of Proverbs we see the words ” fool” used many times. So why can God use the word ‘fool’ in describing certain people and we are in ” danger of hell fire” if we do likewise?

First of all, what the world considers foolish and what God considers foolish are two completely different groups of people. The world often labels Christians as weak and foolish while the wise men of the earth are the scientists and philosophers. God looks at it the opposite. He takes what the world considers foolish and with them, He will confound those that the world considers wise. Paul wrote, ” But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” 1 Cor. 1:27,28 Those that the world views as wise, God looks as foolish and those that are foolish in the eyes of the world are wise in God’s eyes. In God’s eyes, the world has it backwards as far as wisdom is concerned. ” Those who would have that wisdom which is from God must become fools in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. They should shut their eyes, that they may see and learn no evil. They should close their ears, lest they hear that which is evil and obtain that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts. And they should guard their tongues, lest they utter corrupt communications and guile be found in their mouths.” AH 404. When Jesus comes, where will the wise men of this world be? ” They became fools in the eyes of God and His heavenly angels, while men of worldly ambition thought them wise. Now their supposed wisdom is all foolishness, and their prosperity their destruction. ” 2T 42.

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Cor. 3:18 The wisdom of the world is valueless in regards to salvation. Let him submit to be guided by the Holy Spirit even though the world thinks of him as a fool. If he does this he’ll obtain true wisdom which comes from God. Fools parade their wisdom and depend on their own learning.

“The one lesson most essential to learn is that goodness alone gives true greatness. May God deliver us from the philosophy of worldly-wise men. Their only hope is in becoming fools, that they may be wise indeed.” 4T 541.

We can’t deny the fact that the word ” fool” is used in the Bible to describe the actions of some people, but this does not justify us in calling people fools. We can, in sorrow, describe the actions of someone who has wandered away from God, that they are acting foolishly. We pity them, we are sorry for them because they are giving up Jesus. They are giving up their happiness in this world and in the future world. How terribly sad. But it is quite a different thing to be angry at someone and call them names

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Ps. 14:1 ” The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Ps.53:1
It is interesting that this Psalm is repeated twice. It must have a very important message. The one who denies God is considered a fool.

The dictionary definition of ” Fool” is: a person deficient either morally or intellectually or both. One who lacks wisdom, a knowledge of moral values, spiritual insight–materialist–judging values by size and power.

But we don’t say there is no God. We don’t lack in wisdom, a knowledge of moral values, spiritual insight. The fact that we are reading this magazine tells us that we believe in Jesus. Yes, we may say with our words that we believe in Jesus, but we may deny Him in our actions. Our actions may say that there is no God.

Here are three quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy regarding Christians who deny Christ. They overlap a little, but each has a few unique points.

“Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them. And – whosoever shall deny Me before men,- He says, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. ” DA 357

“In our character we may deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning the duties and burdens of life which someone must bear if we do not, and by loving sinful pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of dress and conformity to the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We may deny Him by loving our own opinions and by seeking to maintain and justify self. We may also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in the channel of lovesick sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed hard lot and trials.” 3T 331

“We deny Christ when we speak evil one of another. We deny him in foolish talking, in jesting and joking. We deny him when we have a selfish spirit, criticising our brethren. We deny him in seeking to be first, seeking honor one of another. We may deny Christ in outward appearance by gratifying a proud heart, by lifting up the soul unto vanity, and by uncourteous behavior.” BEcho, Mar. 1.

Many Christians are such in name only – by their characters they deny Christ as verily as did Peter during the trial of Jesus. ” Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.” Mat. 26.74 Peter was not converted and therefore denied Jesus. May God help us not to do the same. How do we react when we are in the company of unbelievers who are mocking religion? Do we have the moral courage to stand up for Jesus, or will we be like Peter, fearful of professing His name? It takes great courage to be a Christian. The vast majority of the world, and false Christians lack this courage. They only follow the mob onto the wide road to destruction. Few ever make an effort to find the strait and narrow way.

“O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.” Ps. 92:5,6. A foolish man is one who does not know or understand the Lord. Into this category fit many of the scientists and philosophers of this world. They feel they are too intelligent to believe in God. Everything that has ever happened on this earth and is happening today is all scientifically proven, they say. This is similar to the previous section. Many Christians don’t know God. They don’t want to study the Bible. They feel they have enough knowledge.

There are many more verses in Proverbs that describe a foolish person and I will list a few here. It would do well for us to contemplate each of these to make sure that we are not classed with the foolish in the eyes of God.

“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Pro. 10:18 The one who slanders another person – who calls another person a name, whether it be ” fool” or something else, he is the foolish one in the eyes of God. To have anger in your heart, while showing a pleasant face is telling a lie. ” The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Ps 55:21. These people are deceivers and liars.

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.” Pro. 10:8-10. There are many professing Christians who do not believe they need to keep the commandments. Some say they worship God every day so they have Sabbath every day. They are above the law. But in God’s church we keep the commandments, do we not? Yes, we may keep the letter of the law as did the Pharisees in the days of Jesus, but what about the sprit of the law? We see the law expounded in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy where the Lord is speaking through His servant Ellen G. White. Oh, some of those writing are extreme and old fashioned – that was then, today things are different. Have we not heard those excuses before? Yes, we are in danger of not receiving the commandments. And to receive them in love ‘ this is what Jesus wants ‘ loving service. ” I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Pro. 12:15 ” He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Pro. 28:26 .Oh, how many Christians I’ve met who have not done anything wrong in their eyes. They know it all – you can’t tell them anything. How hard it is for them to be told that they are wrong. Ask yourself if you are this kind of fool. To ” hearken unto counsel” means that there is something we are not doing correctly, or something we don’t know and we are being counseled about what we need improving on in our lives.

“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” Pro. 15:5. Children and youth come to a certain age when they feel they don’t need to listen to their parents any more. They reach the imaginary age of adulthood ‘ whether it be 18 or 21, or the time they leave home – they no longer need to hearken to their parent’s counsel. No, there are no conditions in this Bible verse. It does not read that you should hearken to your father’s counsel when you are living at home. No conditions at all, implying that it is a never-ending instruction. Until the dying day of your father and even after that day, his instructions should be in your heart and mind, and you should be following them.

The Prodigal son falls under this condemnation. He thought himself very wise. He felt he was wise enough to make it on his own, therefore he asked that his inheritance be given him prior to his father’s death. He thought himself wise enough to manage his own affairs. ” Having obtained his patrimony, he goes into ‘a far country,’ away from his father’s home. With money in plenty, and liberty to do as he likes, he flatters himself that the desire of his heart is reached. There is no one to say, Do not do this for it will be an injury to yourself; or, Do this, because it is right. Evil companions help him to plunge ever deeper into sin, and he wastes his ‘substance with riotous living.’

“The Bible tells of men who ‘professing themselves to be wise’ ‘became fools’ (Rom. 1:22); and this is the history of the young man of the parable.” COL 199. Are there not young people today who feel themselves wise like this young man? Far wiser than their parents? Wise enough to manage their own affairs at a young age? It would do well for them to heed the instructions of their parents, beyond the days of their youth only.

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Pro. 26:3-5 To walk away from an argument or a challenge to fight isn’t always easy. To the world this person may appear foolish, but before God he is the strong person. It is difficult to walk away without the help of Christ and few are able to do so, but in the Bible it says it is an honour to be able to do this. Fools are also always meddling. Have you met a meddling person? They want to be in the middle of everything. They want to know everything and they get involved in other people’s business. They are busybodies and gossipers. They are foolish. We are encouraged here not to speak to foolish persons in their folly ‘ we may become like them and it also will embolden them in their foolishness. You can’t talk reason to them ‘ best to leave them alone.

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Pro. 26:12. Here is a man who thinks he is all wise. This is what God thinks of his wisdom. God is the source of all wisdom and it would do well for us to acknowledge the source of the wisdom and we will receive more.

” The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.” Eccl. 4:5. The foolish man is lazy and has brought himself and his family to extreme poverty.

WORDS:

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Pro. 29:11. Some people just can’t stop talking. When they are angry, frustrated, upset, when things go wrong in their lives, they keep on talking, talking and talking. They just don’t know when to stop, and often their talk gets to be nonsense, unreasonable, full of selfish hurts. When angry, a wise man waits until tempers have cooled and then quietly presents his case. It would do well for these talkers to take their case to the Lord first and then go and softly sort out any differences they may have with others.

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?” Eccl. 10:12-14 The wise man or foolish man are often revealed by the words they speak. A wise man controls his speech and is willing to listen to instruction and accept direction. Fools talk idly, boasting of their own deeds and speaking evil of others. Since he’s too busy talking to listen to counsel, he will fall and come to ruin. The prating fool represents a silly, self-exposing sinner who quickly comes to grief.

“In the use of language there is perhaps no error that old and young are more ready to pass over lightly in themselves than hasty, impatient speech. They think it sufficient excuse to plead, ‘I was off my guard, and did not really mean what I said.’ But God’s word does not treat it lightly. The scriptures say: ‘Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.’ Pro. 29:20.” Ed 236.

“In one moment, by the hasty, passionate, careless tongue, may be wrought evil that a whole lifetime’s repentance cannot undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and healing!” Ed 236/7

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Luke 12:20 Those who are living for the things of this world – laying up treasures on earth only, are called fools. Who knows when their last day will be, but it will be sad if they don’t have any money in the bank of heaven. They are foolish people. When we feel we can’t give much to the Lord ‘ our offerings are meager ‘ not sacrifices ‘ when we feel no lack by giving our offerings, we are foolish. Our offerings should be a sacrifice just like the widow who put in two mites into the Lord’s treasury. If we have enough means that we live a luxurious life ‘ have all the best clothing, the latest entertainments, a fancy car and house, and are able to only put a few small coins into the offering plate ‘ we are like this foolish man in the parable that Jesus told. While we are not expected to give so much that we are in poverty, we are encouraged to live a simple life ‘ economizing as best we can, so that we have more to offer the Lord. Then we can trust Him to take care of all our needs (not luxuries needs). ” The glitter and tinsel of earth fascinated them, and in their supposed wisdom they became fools. They exulted in their worldly prosperity as though their worldly advantages were so great that they could through them be recommended to God, and thus secure heaven.” 2T 42.

Back to David’s description of the fool in the books of Psalms. ” The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Ps. 14:1. They deny God – they doubt God’s existence. Why? Is it because there is no evidence? Or the evidence is sketchy or obscure?

” Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God’s word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation.” SC 111

May God help us not to doubt or disbelieve any of His commandments. Heed the counsels of the Bible and don’t become a fool in the eyes of God. Be a fool to the wise men of this world. The sincere ” wise” men of this world will appreciate the wisdom they see in God’s people, as King Darius and Nebuchadnezzar saw in Daniel. However, the foolish ” wise” men will see God’s people as fools, just like Pharaoh thought of Moses. And never fall into the same trap as those insincere ones of calling others ” fools” or some other similar name, bringing upon us the condemnation of God. What really matters is not how the world views us, but how God views us. Let’s be wise unto salvation. True wisdom comes from God.
AMEN