The Company of Fools

If you ever find yourself in the company of fools, here is the scriptural response. “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:6). The Bible describes many fools. Here are a few.

First, there is the fool who despises his father’s instruction (Prov. 15:5). The lamp shall go out on every child that curses his father or mother (Prov. 20:20). One of the wonderful blessings God has given us is a family. In a family, a child finds protection, guidance end acceptance (Eph. 6:1-4). The foolish and wicked want to destroy the home and bring the child under the authority of the state, to remove the protective shell around the child. They want to destroy the family by redefining marriage and by blurring the line between the sexes. Shun these people because it is sheer foolishness.

Second, there is a fool who does not fear the Lord (Prov. 1:7). It is the very height of foolishness to not fear the Lord. This text does not say this person does not believe in God or acknowledge His existence, it’s just that they don’t care. But one day God will judge us all according to our works (II Cor. 5:10,11) and those who do not fear the Lord will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (II Thes. 1:7-9). Therefore, the conclusion of the whole matter is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13).

Third, another fool goes even farther and denies the very existence of God. “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God” (Psalm 14:1). It is foolish because there is such overwhelming evidence proving the existence of God it could not be clearer than if God’s name were literally written on every rock and tree, every flower and every animal and in the face of every man. Philosophically, it is clear that every house is built by some man but He that built all things is God (Heb. 3:4). A man has to be a fool to be wrong about this matter.

Fourth, the wise man said “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Prov. 28:26). It is often said that a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. Even more clearly, a man who trusts in his own heart is, himself, a fool. The way of man is not in himself, the Bible declares, it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23). Jeremiah said the “heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it” (Jer. 17:9). Therefore, we must “trust in the LORD with all” our “heart; and lean not unto [our] own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). This is the wise way.

Fifth, Ezekiel said there are foolish prophets because they speak of themselves and not of God (Ezek. 13:3). How foolish and how presumptuous to claim to speak for God when you do not! John warned that we should try the spirits because there are many false prophets gone out into the world (I John 4:1). Paul warned against false teachers who would arise from among the members of the church to draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:28-31). There are many foolish teachers today who teach things which cannot be found in God’s word (Matt. 15:7-9).

Finally, it is very foolish not to be ready to meet the Lord. Some men hoard up wealth, cherish fame and covet possessions to the exclusion of all spiritual concerns. But what happens when the Lord calls your name? What happens when God says, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20-21).

“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly” (Prov. 16:22).

Eric L. Padgett