2004-04-15 - Who's the Fool?

Encore 1997-07-10

Haven't we all been foolish at one time or another? We have all done something that we knew was not right, or never going to work. I believe Einstein was quoted as saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!" But there are obvious things that most people consider so clear that they are synonymous with foolishness: using an electrical appliance in the bathtub, climbing high-tension power line towers, not taking safe cover when a storm is approaching, etc. These actions place lives in danger needlessly.

The world also believes us to be fools. We believe in something that can not be seen, touched, tasted or felt. We profess to have met and speak with the living Jesus Christ, Who is risen from the dead and has forgiven all our sins. The thinking man, by this world's standards, can hardly imagine that we believe in such an outmoded ideas as sin and a Savior. They will jeer and roar with laughter, and bite with sarcasm. But what does God have to say on the subject?

Ps 14:1-4 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. ² The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ³ They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. ⁴ Do all the workers of wickedness not know, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do (NAS)

Prov 10:8-10 The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be thrown down. ⁹ He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. ¹⁰ He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be thrown down. (NAS)

Prov 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (NAS)

Prov 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent. (NAS)

Prov 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind. (NAS)

Isa 32:5-6 No longer will the fool be called noble, or the rogue be spoken of as generous. ⁶ For a fool speaks nonsense, and his heart inclines toward wickedness, to practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD, to keep the hungry person unsatisfied and to withhold drink from the thirsty. (NAS)

Luke 12:18-21 "And he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹ 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' ²⁰ "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' ²¹ "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (NAS)

Rom 1:20-25 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. ²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (NAS)

I am willing to be a fool by the standards of this world. Will you wait for true, eternal riches with me and store them up in Heaven? There is an old saying, "Let God be true and every man a liar." So, who's the fool? I guess it depends on your perspective. But who would you rather have call you a fool, a created being or God the Creator?

Lord Jesus, You have listed these facets of foolishness, and many, many more for us. Help keep us mindful of what You call foolish and what You call wise. Teach us Your ways, so what we may honor You. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org