Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, I want to share with you some insights about foolishness as it is portrayed in the Bible. Foolishness, as understood in the Scripture, is not merely a lack of knowledge or intelligence; it is a deeper condition of the heart and mind that turns away from God’s wisdom and guidance.
The Bible often contrasts the wise and the foolish. A foolish person is described as someone who despises wisdom and instruction, who is quick to speak and slow to listen, and who often acts without considering the consequences. For instance, a fool is someone who says in their heart, “There is no God,” and lives as though God does not exist. This kind of foolishness leads to destructive choices and a life that strays from the path God has set for us.
Dear friend, let us consider some biblical examples of foolishness. King Saul, for example, acted foolishly when he disobeyed God’s commands, leading to his downfall and the loss of his kingdom. Another example is the parable of the rich fool, who stored up wealth for himself without being rich toward God. These stories remind us that foolishness often involves pride, selfishness, and a lack of reverence for God.
In contrast, wisdom in the Bible is depicted as the fear of the Lord—the beginning of knowledge. It involves seeking God’s will, being humble, and making choices that align with His commandments. Solomon, when he asked God for wisdom to lead His people, was blessed and became known for his wise and discerning heart. This shows us that true wisdom comes from God and is a gift we should seek earnestly.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us strive to be wise in God’s eyes, seeking His guidance in all we do. Let us be slow to speak, quick to listen, and always eager to learn from His Word. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of foolishness and live lives that honor Him.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about foolishness.
“It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom”
— Proverbs 10:23
“A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness”
— Proverbs 12:23
“Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly”
— Proverbs 13:16
“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evilHe that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed”
— Proverbs 13:19-20
“The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his goingA wise man feareth, departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, is confident”
— Proverbs 14:15-16
“The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly”
— Proverbs 14:24
“Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly”
— Proverbs 15:21
“Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly”
— Proverbs 17:12
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding”
— Proverbs 17:28
“A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself”
— Proverbs 18:2
“A fool’s lips enter into contention, his mouth calleth for strokesA fool’s mouth is his destruction, his lips are the snare of his soul”
— Proverbs 18:6-7
“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, is a fool”
— Proverbs 19:1
“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping”
— Proverbs 19:13
“Judgments are prepared for scorners, stripes for the back of fools”
— Proverbs 19:29
“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? the scorners delight in their scorning, fools hate knowledge?”
— Proverbs 1:22
“There is gold, a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel”
— Proverbs 20:15
“There is treasure to be desired oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up”
— Proverbs 21:20
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words”
— Proverbs 23:9
“Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate”
— Proverbs 24:7
“The thought of foolishness is sin: the scorner is an abomination to men”
— Proverbs 24:9
“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, rewardeth transgressorsAs a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his follySeest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him”
— Proverbs 26:10-12
“A stone is heavy, the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both”
— Proverbs 27:3
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered”
— Proverbs 28:26
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards”
— Proverbs 29:11
“The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools”
— Proverbs 3:35
“Beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding”
— Proverbs 7:7
“A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, knoweth nothing”
— Proverbs 9:13
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom honour”
— Ecclesiastes 10:1
“A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; what shall be after him, who can tell him?”
— Ecclesiastes 10:14
“Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness”
— Ecclesiastes 2:13
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools”
— Ecclesiastes 7:9
“But avoid foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable vain”
— Titus 3:9
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, their foolish heart was darkenedProfessing themselves to be wise, they became fools”
— Romans 1:21-22
“Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand”
— Matthew 7:26
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wiseRedeeming the time, because the days are evilWherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”
— Ephesians 5:15-17
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”
— Galatians 3:1
“Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness”
— Mark 7:22
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good”
— Psalm 14:1
“For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge”
— Jeremiah 4:22
“For the vile person will speak villany, his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, to utter error against the Lord , to make empty the soul of the hungry, he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail”
— Isaiah 32:6
Conclusion
In exploring the Bible’s teachings on foolishness, it becomes evident that a life guided by wisdom rather than folly is profoundly more fulfilling and aligned with God’s will. Proverbs 12:15 tells us, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice,” highlighting the importance of humility and seeking counsel. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left,” reminding us to guard our hearts and choose the path of righteousness. From these verses, we learn the significance of discernment, humility, and the diligent pursuit of wisdom. Applying these lessons in our lives involves actively seeking God’s guidance through prayer, studying Scripture, and surrounding ourselves with wise and godly influences. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of foolishness and lead lives that honor God and benefit those around us.