The Fool (Part 5)

The Fool

The next reference to the word fool is found in Proverbs 8:5.

Proverbs 8:5 (KJV) ⁵ O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

If you look at the first four verses of Proverbs 8 you will understand that wisdom is calling out, seeking to be heard of all.  Wisdom is available to everyone, yet so few take advantage.   Specifically, she addresses the simple and the fool in verse 5.

Proverbs 8:1-4 (KJV) ¹ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? ² She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. ³ She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. ⁴ Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

The simple is not someone who cannot learn, or refuses to learn, but is someone who lacks life experiences and has not learned.  They are gullible and easy influenced.  Wisdom’s goal is for the simple to gain the knowledge and ability to discern between what is wise and unwise.

The fool is one who despises wisdom and discipline.  They live their lives as if there is no God.  They are not stupid or lacking in ability to learn, but are hard hearted and not willing to do what is right.  They have trouble understanding the benefits of living wisely and are often short sighted.  The fool has great difficulty discerning between right and wrong, and usually doesn’t care.  It doesn’t enter their thought process.

5.  The fool makes decisions without thinking about what is right and what is wrong.  They could care less.

The question we must ask ourselves is; are we making decisions based on God’s Word or our own knowledge?  Do we care about what is right and what is wrong?  Are we attempting to make decisions that please God?

I am amazed at how many people fall into the category of a fool.  They live life ignoring God and His Word and then do not understand that the problems in  their lives are the consequences for living unwisely.

Listen up, hear the cry of wisdom, and begin to live according to teachings of God’s Word.