Prov 23:9: “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
In the Bible a fool is one who has rebelled against God. When we call someone a fool as a sign of our hatred towards them, then it’s sinful. But saying someone is being foolish because they’re rebelling against God, and it’s true, we’ve did them a favor. The word “fool” doesn’t signify a person that’s ignorant.
Proverbs 1:32 says, “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” Much of Proverbs goes on to tell us how fools live and wreck their lives, including these behaviors. Let me share with you…
10 Unmistakable Characteristics of a Fool according to Proverbs.
1. A fool runs his mouth too much.
Prov. 17:27 & 28 says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
2. A fool puts his hope in money & stuff.
Prov. 11:28 says, “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” Likewise, Prov. 145:16 says, “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
3. The Fool has no self-control.
Prov. 25:28 says, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
4. The fool is a gossiper.
Prov. 10:18 says, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slnder, is a fool.”
5. The fool does not plan ahead but jumps into projects & stuff.
Prov. 19:1 – 3, says, “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.” Also Prov. 14:15 tells us, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”
6. The fool is always Meddling in the matters of others. (He can’t mind his own business)
Prov. 26:17 says, “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Also, 1 Pet. 4:15 says, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”
7. A fool Speaks quickly and out of turn.
Prov. 29:11 says, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Or Prov. 29:20, “seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hipe of a fool than of him.”
8. A fool is stubborn.
Prov. 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
9. A fool is generally lazy.
Prov. 13:4 says, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
10. The fool is generally stingy.
Prov. 28:22 says, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” Prov. 19:17 tell us, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him again”
The Good News for Fools
Ephesians 5:15-17 has a way out for the fool. It says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
The Lord’s will is wisdom. “The Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). Wisdom is always available; we just have to surrender and ask for it. The Bible assures us that, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
Wisdom is always available; we just have to ask for it.
Are you asking God for wisdom or resting in the ease and comfort of foolishness? James asks, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?” Then he answers, “Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness and wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
Don’t allow the Devil to make a fool out of you!
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