Maybe you have been thinking about how easy it is to get caught up in foolishness---whether it is you, your spouse, your friends, your child, your child's friends, co-workers, etc., we always need to be on guard for when we are getting off on the wrong track. Here is a good list that shares some characteristics of foolish behavior.
1. Denying, disregarding, or rebelling against God
The fool says in his heart “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
2. Slandering, lying, deceiving
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool
(Proverbs 10:18).
3. Quick-Tempered
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted (Proverbs 12:16).
4. Acts Impetuously and Without Regard for Consequences
Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16).
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless
(Proverbs 14:16).
5. Talks endlessly, brags, spouts off frequently
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions
(Proverbs 18:2).
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin (Proverbs 10:14).
The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble (Proverbs 18:7).
6. Refuses Advice, Accountability and/or Discipline
A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence
(Proverbs 15:5).
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool
(Proverbs 17:10).
7. Handles Money Recklessly
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
(Proverbs 17:16).
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all
he has (Proverbs 21:20).
8. Quarrels frequently, picks fights, is contentious
Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating (Proverbs 18:6 ).
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control
(Proverbs 29:11).
9. Lazy, Lacks Focus and Ambition
Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve (Ecclesiastes 4:5).
A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now
(Ecclesiastes 7:4 ).
Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they have no strength for even the simplest tasks
(Ecclesiastes 10:15 ).
10. Never Learns from Past Experience
As a do returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly (Proverbs 26:11).
You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with
mortar and pestle (Proverbs 27:22 ).
How are we to respond to foolish behavior?
1. First and most importantly, we pray for them.
2. Second, watch your attitude and motivation toward them.
Principle #1 – Don’t be surprised if they refuse good advice.
Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.
(Proverbs 23:9 ).
Principle #2 – Don’t give them honor or luxury.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury – how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
(Proverbs 19:10).
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool (Proverbs 26:1).
Principle #3 – Don’t argue with foolish people.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce
quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to
teach, not resentful (2 Tim. 2:23-24).
Principle #4 – Protect yourself from the resentment and anger caused by foolish people.
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is heavier than both
(Proverbs 27:3 ).
Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips (Proverbs 14:7).
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, please help us to discern these traits, especially if they concern ourselves. Help us to always walk in your ways and keep us from foolish behavior that can so quickly tempt us and lead us into sin. Thank you for all that you have done and are doing in our lives, and forgive us when we have made foolish choices and decisions. Thank you for your grace and goodness. We pray this in Jesus' name--Amen.
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27 comments:
Thank you. This is great to read.
This is some pretty powerful stuff! Helps to keep me on track. It's nice to be reminded of these things sometimes. It's hard always being the patient one, or the one that bites their tongue or try's to say things kindly (because sometimes I just want to lash out at the mouth, boy how that would feel good) but reading this reminds me why, and makes it all feel worth it!
Just what I needed this morning..thank you
Thank you so much for posting this.
must read
Great reminder to take inventory with our children and ourselves. I loved all of your suggestions on dealing with those who are foolish. Thank you for sharing.
Loved your post but wish I could figure out how to turn off the music, very distracting! I know how to turn off the volume on computer but I need it on for other reasons. Thank you for the good read. =)
THIS IS NOT MY WEBSITE, BUT THERE IS AN AUDIO PLAYER AT THE VERY BOTTOM RIGHT IF YOU SCROLL DOWN. yOU CAN CHOOSE THEN TO STOP THE MUSIC BY PAUSING IT. HTH!
I love this site! God bless you, I pray for a Godly home and how to raise my pre teen and teenager in a Godly way! My husband is not saved yet and still praying for him and to be a Godly man.
Beautiful, and very encouraging! Thank you.
Beautiful,and very encouraging. Thank you.
This is wonderful! Just what I needed today.
I have had issues with an extended "Christian" family member who is clearly a fool by scriptural definitions. I have long known that. This was a great reminder and timely reminder as the enemy was trying to make me feel badly today for setting clear and healthy boundaries by strictly limiting contact with her for the sake of my sanity and my own family. It's good to be reminded that the Lord set the standards!
This is excellent and just what I needed. Thank you so much. Praise God!
Would you please share which version of the Bible these verses come from?
I love this post! I am going to print it out and go over it with my family. Thanks ~ it was a blessing. God bless ~
Ronda,
I went over this list with my children this morning during our family Bible time!
Many blessings...
Very encouraging and an important reminder. Thank you.
Hello,
I am just copying this off. Thank you for letting me! I want to go over it for myself..I see areas that I am off track and desire to at least be praying and working on. We have two daughters in their 20's and one in her early 30's..still home. They are trying to be entrepreneurial at home and help me while trying to discern a ministry or outreach that uses their talents and spiritual gifts. I have so desired some help/guidance on raising/guiding older daughters. This will help and is one of the pieces in this puzzle. :)
Thank you, June!!
This is excellent and I agree with Annette; It helps us all. Sending hugs to you!
I cannot read this and think about others' foolishness, since my project and the reason I read this blog is to find ways to become wise myself!!! If we take this to the Lord in prayer we will ALL surely see ways in which we are foolish, and becoming wise is a lifelong work. June, is it possible to develop this theme, and discuss ways to overcome these foolish tendencies in our own lives, since I suspect you have many works in progress reading your blog, who would like to get the beam out of their own eye first?
Ηighly descriptive рost, I loved that a lot. Will there
be a pагt 2?
My page ... how to win her back with words
You may have intended this to be discerning with foolish people in our lives, but this was so convicting for my OWN heart. I have tears as the Lord's words have pierced my heart. Thank you
This was a great read, I am going to print it to hang in my home. AND the music was lovely. It really gave me a nice moment of peace. Thank you!
Great read, insight, and wisdom if we take this to heart... I'm sure many of us may have identified some of this behavior in our own lives at one point or another. However, the distinction is the pattern of on-going/continuous behavior and/or the refusal to repent (turn-away from this behavior and run back to God). Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit.
Good reminders!
What if it's your husband who is being very foolish?
It's my husband who is all of them. I am more wise. I pray and pray for him, but seems like it does nothing. I love him, but his foolishness is truly weighty. Please lift us up to the Father for prayer and petition for wisdom. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
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