Dealing with the foolish
Helping care for and pastor people can sometimes be a confusing task. We can hear teaching and read books about how to do it but in the real life world of the church we rarely come across “cookie cutter molds” people or situations. Every situation and person is unique and it can sometimes cause us to feel unsure of what direction to take.
This is especially true in dealing with difficult people. With difficult people we can easily get somewhat lost in knowing what direction to take. That is why we must stick close to our compass, the word of God.
As you know a compass is an interesting device. It existed long before GPS systems. No matter where you stand or how lost you are, a compass will always point toward the north pole so you can find your direction again.
God’s word works like a compass. In the midst of helping in difficult circumstances we can feel disoriented as to what to do. God’s word will always point us in His direction.
One of the areas where we must keep His compass in view is in dealing with fools. As any leader knows we have to deal with the foolishness in the lives of people. The Bible has much to say about dealing with fools. Let’s look at the Biblical compass regarding what fools are and how to deal with them.
Proverbs 9:7-10 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scorner, lets he hate you, reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The Classic Biblical Fool
The root cause of the type of personality called the fool is a resistance to being educated. It is a self-imposed problem. The extent to which a man is a fool is a direct result of the extent to which he tries to live without acquiring knowledge or developing his mind, whether in regard to any one thing or as a general lifestyle. Those who most fully embrace this attitude are classic Biblical fools.
From the first chapter of Proverbs, we find that fools blindly reject all knowledge, advice, and counsel. Indeed, they hate knowledge and reproof. They do not choose the fear of the Lord, but instead they turn away from wisdom, and remain complacent in ignorance. Notice their resistance to learning.
…fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7; KJV).
The Biblical definition of a fool is one who hates God’s wisdom and instruction and tends to resist it, especially as it comes through other people.
Pro 1:7 NASB The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 18:2 NASB A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
Because fools hate discipline and education, they tend to love what they should hate.
Pro 10:23 NASB Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
Pro 13:19 NASB Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
Pro 15:21 NASB Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.
Pro 26:11 NASB Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.
Ecc 10:2 NASB A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.
Fools often seem incapable of gaining knowledge and understanding because their foolishness causes their mental orientation to be backwards.
Pro 14:33 NASB Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.
Pro 17:16 NASB Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
Pro 24:7 NASB Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.
Thus, fools lack self-control, and are slaves of their primitive impulses and urges.
Pro 14:16-17 NASB A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.
Pro 14:29 NASB He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Pro 20:3 NASB Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel
Pro 29:9 NASB When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
Pro 29:11 NASB A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.
Ecc 7:9 NASB Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.
Because their impulsiveness gives them immediate gratification, it deceives them.
Pro 14:8 NASB The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
Because of their impulsiveness their foolishness is constantly exposed.
Pro 12:16 NASB A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.
Pro 12:23 NASB A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Pro 13:6 NASB Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner.
Pro 14:24 NASB The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.
Pro 14:33 NASB Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.
Ecc 10:3 NASB Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.
Because of their foolishness they are incapable of objective judgment about right and wrong.
Pro 12:15 NASB The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
Pro 14:9 NASB Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.
Pro 14:16 NASB A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
Pro 15:17 NASB Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
Pro 19:3 NASB The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.
Pro 28:26 NASB He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
Because of their foolishness they tend to chase wild schemes.
Pro 12:11 NASB He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
Pro 17:24 NASB Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Ecc 4:5 NASB The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
Ecc 10:15 NASB The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.
Fools tend to have immature mentalities (because they refuse instruction) that make them destructive and dangerous to others.
Pro 14:1 NASB The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
Pro 17:12 NASB Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.
Pro 21:20 NASB There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
Pro 27:3 NASB A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
Their nature is unrestrained and their speech mirrors their nature. It is like a wildfire, it wanders about both generating heat and feeding upon it.
Pro 10:14 NASB Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
Pro 10:18 NASB He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.
Pro 14:3 NASB In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them. Pro 15:2 NASB The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. Pro 15:14 NASB The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. Pro 17:7 NASB Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.
Pro 18:6-7 NASB A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Pro 18:13 NASB He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
Pro 20:19 NASB He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Pro 26:9 NASB Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Pro 26:7 NASB Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Pro 29:9 NASB When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
Ecc 10:12-14 NASB Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 13 the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. 14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who
can tell him what will come after him?
How does God’s direct us in dealing with fools?
The Word gives us insight in dealing with fools.
1. We are warned against much involvement with fools and are instructed to avoid them. Otherwise we are to respond with disapproval.
Pro 13:20 NASB He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Pro 14:7 NASB Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
Pro 23:9 NASB Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Pro 26:4-5 NASB Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.
2. We are advised against either praising them or giving them responsibility.
If you do this you will suffer.
Pro 26:1 NASB Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Pro 26:6 NASB He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
Pro 26:8 NASB Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
Pro 26:10 NASB Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
3. Those in authority, who are required to maintain order, have the responsibility to deal with fools firmly.
Pro 7:22 NASB Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Pro 10:13 NASB On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
Pro 19:29 NASB Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.
Pro 26:3 NASB A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.
4. But no matter how much fools may be corrected or punished, the ultimate cure for this problem does not come from without.
Pro 17:10 NASB A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
Pro 27:22 NASB Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
To sum it up, fools are a problem for God’s people. We must reach to God on their behalf that they would see and turn from their foolishness to God’s wisdom. We all have become foolish at one time or another, but for those who are persistent in their foolishness it is best to avoid them.
If we are in responsibility and people’s foolishness causes destruction to others (they get caught up in their foolishness) we have a duty to eliminate their influence. Whatever we do we must be led by the Spirit of God as we take action.
What about offending people.
Jesus was offensive. Most religious people were offended by him. The proof for John the Baptist that Jesus was the Christ was that the blind see, the lame walk and the majority are “offended” by Him (Mat. 11:2-19). As Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Mat. 11:6; Luke 7:23). In Galilee, Jesus did not plead with his neighbors to understand Him when “they were offended at Him” (Mat. 13:57; Mark 6:3). He offended unbelievers. So be it (cf. Luke 14:3-4; John 5:8-16). “Shake off the dust from your feet” (Mat. 10:14). But today Christ’s own approach is no longer considered a Christian attitude.
Jesus’ apostles asked Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard [Your] saying?” (Mat. 15:12). Today’s Christians would respond, “Oh no. Quickly, apologize! Ask for forgiveness! Tell them we are sorry. We never meant to offend. There must be a misunderstanding.” How did Jesus respond? He said to ignore the complaints of the unbelievers: “Let them alone. They’re blind,” (Mat. 15:14). Today, many Christians would condemn Christ’s attitude as unloving.