Do you all remember Mr. T?
You're probably wondering where the heck this one is going aren't you? Well I read Proverbs 26 today and let's call it the fools chapter. Take a look at the first 12 verses.
Proverbs 26:1-12(NKJV)
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 £The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
I did a search and found that the phrase "a fool" appears in the Bible 46 times. So what you might ask? Well as you know one of the main focus of my observations is the practical application of our faith. So here's my thinking. If God saw fit to use the phrase 46 times in the Bible, maybe there is a lesson there. It's our job to diligently (are you starting to get sick of that word yet?) search to learn what that lesson is.
First let's decide if "a fool" is a good thing or a bad thing. Now I think from a common sense perspective we could all probably agree that it is not a good thing to be a fool but just so we are all on the same page let's take a look at the dictionary definition.
fool
noun
- a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense.
- a professional jester, formerly kept by a person of royal or noble rank for amusement: the court fool.
- a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid: to make a fool of someone.
- an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm (usually preceded by a present participle): He's just a dancing fool.
- a weak-minded or idiotic person.
Now how do we apply this from a Biblical perspective? Well a lot of the verses talk about not listening to a fool, don't waste your time trying to reason with a fool, don't send a message via a fool, don't honor a fool, etc. So apparently one of the things we should be doing is evaluating our daily interactions with other human beings and deciding which of them are fools. Then follow the Bibles advice on how to deal with those people.
But wait a minute, wouldn't that be judgmental? Is the Bible actually suggesting that we look at people and pass a judgment as to whether they are a fool or not? Yep, it sure is in my opinion. That kind of leads back to the Bible being a book of balance like I wrote about here ( A Book of Balance ). There are times where we need to evaluate people and make distinctions. That's not judging them from a Biblical perspective.
Let me give you just one practical example.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
You know that person in your life that just loves to jab and poke about some issue that you are never going to agree on anyway (especially because they are wrong :). Just don't rise to the bait. Just ignore it. (Isn't that what Mom always told you to do anyway?) If you have come to the conclusion that they are "a fool" in this area and then you take the bait and argue with them what does the Bible say about you? You're as big a fool as they are. Ouch, that's harsh!
So just don't even waste your time, emotions, and mental energy engaging in the dance. You'll avoid a whole lot of aggravation and life will be a lot more fun.
Happy New Year!
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