Intro
A Fool is a legend in his own mind
A Fool Does Not Give God Credit
A Fool Does Not Consult God’s Plans
A Fool Lives For the Moment
A Fool Live For Himself

Objectives
Define a Fool
The MIND of a Fool
The MOUTH of a Fool
The MOOD of a Fool
How Fools Should Be Treated
How NOT to be Foolish

What is a Fool?
The Lack of Wisdom
“A person who lives life as if God and God’s will were of no consequence."

What Makes a Person Foolish?

REBELLION of God’s Word (Psalm 107)
Psalm 107:17 (NLT)
17 Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins.

REJECTION of God’s Word (Romans 1)
PROFESSORS became fools by rejecting God’s Word

Romans 1:20–22 (NLT)
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
22Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

RECEPTION of Other Fools (Ecc 7)

The MIND of a Fool

Psalm 14:1 (NLT)
1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

The Unbelieving Fool
denies the obvious – willfully Blind

Prov.1:7 “fools despise wisdom”
(Prov) despise wisdom and discipline, hate knowledge
(don’t confuse me with the facts)

Trusts In His Own Heart
Proverbs 28:26 (NLT)
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

Romans 1:22 (NLT)
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

Is Always Right [In His Own Eyes]
Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 14:16 - A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Despises Wisdom and Instruction
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Deception
Unfocused – keeps wandering
Proverbs 17:24 (NLT)
24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 18:2 (NLT)
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

Cannot comprehend wisdom
Walks in darkness

The MOUTH of a Fool

The Mocking Fool
Prov.14:9 “fools mock at sin”

Scorn, mock, do not understand, unwise

He Who Talks A Lot
Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NLT)
3 Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
Unfulfilled vows – don’t mean what they say – don’t walk the TALK

Someone once said, "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

He Who Mocks At Sin
Proverbs 14:9 - Fools make a mock at sin:

He Who Minds Others’ Business (meddling)
Proverbs 20, 26 - is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Quick to quarrel
Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)
3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

Applications – husbands and wives?

Ephesians 5:4 (NLT)
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Other Foolish Behavior:
Chattering fool – invites ruin
Slanders Others
Blurts out
Brings punishment
Spreads foolish words
Feeds on other foolishness
Brings strife
Speaks hastily

The MOOD of a Fool

The Self Righteous Fool
Prov. 12:15 “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes”

The Self Sufficient Fool
Rom.1:22 “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”

He Who Is Soon Angry
Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Finds pleasure in evil conduct
Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)
16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Detests turning from evil
Refuse to make things right – amends
Reckless
Easily provoked to anger – quick tempered - Hotheaded

Hates discipline
Proverbs 15:5 (NLT)
5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

Arrogant – prideful – conceited
Uncorrectable – even with lashes
Provokes problems
Rages and scoffs
Will not listen to warnings
Uncontrolled – gives full vent to anger
Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)
11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Lives for pleasure

Fools Are a Public Display of Stupidity
Ecclesiastes 10:3 (NLT)
3 You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!

Foolish Desires
1 Timothy 6:9 (NLT)
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

The MONUMENT of a Fool (Results)
House Cursed
Shame – dishonor, especially to parents
Servant to the wise
Folly is exposed
Breeds more fools
Poor – wastes money
Hopeless
Dies prematurely by lack of judgment
Tears down his own house
Soon forgotten
Repeats mistakes – never learns his lesson

How Should Fools Be Treated?

FREE Your Time
Don’t waste it…

FORGO Foolish Arguments
Proverbs 26:4 (NLT)
4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

Titus 3:9 (NIV)
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

2 Timothy 2:23 (NIV)
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Don’t hire them – they will cause damage

FORSAKE Foolish Company
Proverbs 9:6 (NLT)
6 Leave your simple (foolish) ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

It has been said, "Never let a fool kiss you and never let a kiss fool you."

EVERYBODY Plays the Fool – Sometimes…

Government Leaders – Kings Saul and David

King Saul’s Persecution of David = rejecting God’s will
1 Samuel 26:21 (NLT)
21 Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.”

David’s Census = Assumed he could do anything He wanted
2 Samuel 24:10 (NLT)
“I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.”

Just because a leader is chosen by God, does not automatically mean that the leader will never make a foolish decision. This si why the church must always pray for your leaders, whether we voted for them or not.

Spiritual Leaders – False Prophets and Pharisees

Jeremiah 50:36 (NIV)
36 A sword against her falseprophets! They will become fools…

Ezekiel 13:3 (NIV)
… foolishprophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!

It is foolish for someone to claim they have seen a vision from God or heard a word from God when they are only imagining something.

The Pharisees couldn’t see the Son of God right in front of their eyes!
Matthew 23:17 You blindfools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

God’s Own People

Jeremiah 4:22 (NLT)
“My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the Lord. “They are stupid children who have no understanding…

Foolish virgins
Matthew 25:3 (NLT)
3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps…

The Rich Fool
Rich barns – poor toward God
Luke 12:20 (NLT)
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

Start by doing things God’s way, but finish YOUR way.
Galatians 3:1 (NIV)
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Galatians 3:3 (NIV)
3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

Closing – What About You?

FORGE Ahead Wisely

Ephesians 5:15 (NLT)
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

Homework - Please Read Proverbs 26 - listed below