Sunday, January 5, 2014

29 Ways to Identify a Fool

People have often asked me why I reject the option for comments on this blog. The answer is simple. If I allowed comments, I would have to moderate them and reject most people's attempts to have a voice due to their foolishness. In so doing, these people would protest by charging me with "censorship," "discrimination," etc. The words of fools are like airborne infections, and I deal with fools enough as it is on the day-to-day without having to constantly address them here. The primary purpose of this blog is two-fold: (1) to glorify God and honour His Son (Rom. 15:6; Col. 1:18), and (2) to educate the body of Christ regarding truth (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 2:13). I do not need people's words of affirmation or congratulation in regard to the things I write. If an individual, whether saved or unsaved, visits my site and learns something new (or in the case of the unsaved, comes to salvation), that is more than enough for me. I use this blog to lead people to the truth—not to hear people's opinions in contrast to the truth (see my article Opinions).

The Bible warns us not to answer a fool according to his folly. In other words, you cannot reason with a person infected with a foolish mind. "30 Ways to Identify a Fool" was penned by Dr. Matthew Stephenson in regard to recognizing a fool—biblical style, and a fool should be properly labeled. However, the copies I have come across only have 29, skipping from 10 to 12, so I have adjusted it accordingly.
  1. A Fool is anyone who despises wisdom, instruction or correction from a mentor or teacher.
    Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."
  2. A Fool is anyone that uses slander through lying and misrepresentation.
    Proverbs 10:18b "He who spreads slander is a FOOL"
  3. A Fool is anyone who refuses to depart from evil, even when corrected.
    Proverbs 13:19b "But it is an abomination to Fools to turn away from evil."
  4. A Fool is anyone who does not take the dangers of sin seriously.
    Proverbs 14:9 "Fools mock at sin, but among the righteous there is good favor of God."
  5. A Fool is anyone who does not use discretion, with matters that should be private.
    Proverbs 14:33 "Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the hearts of Fools it is made known."
  6. A Fool is anyone that disregards the wisdom of a godly father.
    Proverbs 15:5 "A FOOL rejects his father's discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible."
  7. A Fool is anyone whose conduct does not change even after experiencing painful consequences from it.
    Proverbs 17:10 "A rebuke goes deeper into  one who has understanding than one hundred blows into a Fool."
  8. A Fool is anyone who considers pursuing wisdom as a waste of time.
    Proverbs 17:16 "Why is there a price in the hand of a Fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?"
  9. A Fool is anyone who calls himself mad at God.
    Proverbs 19:3 "The Foolish of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the Lord."
  10. A Fool is someone who is always involved in strife.
    Proverbs 20:3 "Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any Fool will quarrel."
  11. A Fool is any man who spends more money that he is able to earn for his family.
    Proverbs 21:20 "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a Foolish man swallows it up."
  12. A Fool is anyone who creates his own belief system contrary to the word of God.
    Proverbs 28:26 "He who trusts in his own heart IS A FOOL, but he who walks wisely will be delivered."
  13. A Fool is anyone who refuses to pay his debts!
    Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in FOOLS."
  14. A Fool is anyone who makes money, riches or money-making his god.
    Luke 12:20-21 "But God said to him, 'You Fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
  15. A Fool's lips are ALWAYS at the center of division, strife and contention.
    Proverbs 18:6-7 "A Fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. A Fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul."
  16. A FRIEND of Fools will be destroyed.
    Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
  17. LIARS are fools.
    Proverbs 10:18a "He who conceals hatred with lying lips...is a Fool."
  18. Foolishness and Fool-like behavior will reveal the spiritual and mental age of a person. It must be BEAT out of him.
    Proverbs 22:15 "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him."
  19. A Fool can't be changed through counsel.
    Proverbs 23:9 "Do not speak in the hearing of a Fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words."
  20. A Fool should NEVER be in any form of leadership.
    Proverbs 24:7 "Wisdom is TOO exalted for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate."
  21. A Fool is destructive to all that trust Him.
    Proverbs 26:6 "He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a Fool."
  22. A Fool won't change, irrespective of him saying wise things.
    Proverbs 26:7 "Like the legs which are useless to the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of Fools."
  23. A Fool who gets honor is deadly to those around him.
    Proverbs 26:8 "Like one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a Fool."
  24. A Fool is someone who makes the same mistakes repeatedly.
    Proverbs 26:11 "Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a Fool who repeats his folly."
  25. Meeting a BEAR is safer than encountering a Fool.
    Proverbs 17:12 "Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a Fool in his folly."
  26. There is no PEACE in relationship with a Fool.
    Proverbs 29:9 "When a wise man has controversy with a Foolish man, the Foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest."
  27. An atheist is a Fool.
    Psalms 14:1 "The FOOL has said in his heart, "There is no God.""
  28. Conversations with Fools may turn you into one.
    Proverbs 26:4 "Do not answer a Fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him."
  29. A Fool TALKS TOO MUCH!
    Ecclesiastes 5:3 "The voice of a fool [is known] through many words."