WHY IS IT VITAL THAT WE DISCERN WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH A TRUE FOOL?
FIRST, WE MUST BE SURE, FOR JESUS SAID CALLING A BROTHER A FOOL
CAN PUT YOU IN DANGER OF HELLFIRE.
A TRUE CHILD OF GOD CANNOT BE A FOOL, AS YOU WILL SEE,
THOUGH SOMEONE MAY BE RELIGIOUS AND BE A FOOL.
WE MUST LEARN TO DISCERN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BEHAVING FOOLISHLY (which we all, even children of God, do)
& BEING A TRUE FOOL.
SECOND, WHEN WE SEE ALL THE RED FLAGS FOR A TRUE FOOL,
WE MUST BE ON GUARD, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS US HOW DANGEROUS FOOLS CAN BE.
IGNORING THE DANGER OF FOOLS IS AKIN TO WHAT THESE PARENTS DID IN PHOTOGRAPHING THEIR BABY CRAWLING NEAR THIS PRECIPICE.
Author Jan Silvious told me once that she thought she was born to write her classic, “Fool-Proofing Your Life,” which has recently come out in a revised edition with free videos. I personally know and love two young women whom God rescued from abusive marriages through the wise counsel of Jan. They escaped with their lives.
I was visiting with one of those women recently, who is now in a healthy marriage. She said, “My husband said that if our daughter ever became involved with someone like my first husband he would do EVERYTHING in his power to stop her from marrying him. WE WILL BOTH BE ALERT TO THE RED FLAGS OF A FOOL.”
But we must be sure. For many young people who behave foolishly, as is characteristic of the young, are not true fools. “Foolishness,” proverbs tells us, “is bound up in the heart of a child.” Wise parents and mentors can drive it from them.
So what are the characteristics, together, that signify, indeed, that someone is a biblical fool?
Sunday of Week One:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Monday-Tuesday of Week Two
2. Watch this thirty minute video and share your notes and comments:
Wednesday-Friday of Week One
3. Using a concordance or an online one (such as Bible Gateway) check out how the word fool is used in proverbs and find a proverb or proverbs to support the three flags Jan gave. Write it out to help you remember it. If you disagree with her, explain why.
A. A fool trusts in his own heart
B. A fool is always right
C. A fool uses anger to control
4. What other verses about a fool stood out to you and how are they corollaries to the above three characteristics? For example, because a fool is “always right” he doesn’t need to listen to others but babbles on. (Proverbs 10:14)
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
6. What word picture is given about a fool below and why does this show that is may not work to reason with him?
Saturday
7. What stood out to you this week and why?
Week Two (Labor Day Weekend)
Two real life biblical examples of fools are Saul and Nabal. Saul is confusing because he was religious, but it is possible to be religious, yet, in your heart say, “There is no God.” Religious fools are especially dangerous to naive Christians. But both of these men are helpful examples because David and Abigail, correspondingly, dealt wisely with them.
David forgave Saul from his heart and prayed for him, but he also kept a safe distance from him. He was not deceived, as Jonathan was, by Saul’s penitent speeches, because he looked at the fruit in his life and his pattern of betrayal. At the end of his life, Saul ran to the Witch of Endor instead of the Lord for help, revealing again, his unbelief.
Sunday of Week Two:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
Monday-Wednesday of Week Two
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
4. Why do you think Proverbs 26:4 and 5 give opposite advice?
5. What else do you learn about fools from Proverbs 26?
6. What word picture is given about a fool that shows that it is wise to keep him at a safe distance, or at the very least, to guard your heart from him (or her)?
Thursday-Friday: Parable of The Rich Fool
8. Read Luke 12:13-21
A. What initial observations do you have — about context, about his main problem?
B. Watch and comment:
C. What parallel teaching do you see between proverbs concerning the fool and this parable?
Saturday
9. What is your take-a-way and why?
299 comments
Thanks for the birthday wishes! And, of course, thanks to Lizzy for always being so thoughtful in remembering. I have stepped back from commenting here for a few weeks due to both internal and external reasons. I need to resolve something in my mind and heart and also need to wait until a couple of big events have passed; for which I am very busy in preparation.
I did want to share one very happy piece of news though! Our soon to be 30 year old daughter is engaged as of August 29! She is our daughter with cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes and in all honesty, when she was an infant, we did not know if she would live to be an adult. There have been some close calls and years and years of never ending medical interventions BUT the Lord has been so very gracious. I can only believe that she has been as healthy as she is AND has such an amazing, never say never attitude, because of His great love and mercy. She has never let either of these demanding diseases define her. Instead, she lives more fully than most of her peers who are healthy. And overall, she is doing quite well, physically. In many ways, exceptionally. (though it is hard work to maintain that) But, she has had her heart broken a few times too, and for years, I have gotten a lump in my throat every time the phone rang and I saw it was her. Always worried it was bad news; I even had to change my ring tone so hers sounded like every one else’s because just hearing her ring tone used to strike worry in me. So, knowing that she truly has found someone who loves her unconditionally (they have dated for 3 years and he does take such good care of her) brings us such joy. They are not believers. That of course, is a heartache…..but who knows? Maybe God will bring her back to Himself, through her fiancee (who I don’t believe has ever really known the gospel. Maybe God will seek Him first? ) So….anyway. I have shared some of her story before and I wanted you to know this joy we are sharing now. (It has been mixed with some sadness though, as his step-dad was just diagnosed with cancer. it sounds like it is somewhat advanced and could be complicated. They are going through a lot of emotions and information gathering right now).
Wanda, thanks for sharing what is going on in your life right now! I pray that God will help you resolve the issues in your life. Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement and the joy it brings. Thanks for giving the back story. I will continue to pray for both of them, especially that God will draw them to Himself.
Wanda–rejoicing with you in this “she truly has found someone who loves her unconditionally”, and continuing to pray for Him to woo hearts to Himself~and give you His peace
Wow-Wanda! Thanks for sharing your blessing regarding your daughter. God moves in mysterious ways and He is always good. Thinking of you this week as you celebrate your birthday month.
Wanda
Nice to see you. Congratulations on your daughters engagement. Praying you are able with the Lords help resolve the issues before you.
Wanda, thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us about your daughter’s engagement! I know you continue to have heartache for them because they are not believers, yet God is being good to them and we will continue to pray and have hope!
wanda! Good news! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing and I miss you 🙂
Oh Wanda – rejoicing with you at this good news!! Obviously, you are quite smitten with Corrie’s fiance as well. 🙂 And, from afar, I’ve long seen in Corrie an appreciation for LIFE that sometimes is unique to those who have known serious disease and challenges from their youth. It truly is a beautiful thing that this young man (name??) has fallen in love with your gritty, zesty daughter!! You have some happy, bustling days in your future my friend! 🙂
Thank you! I sent you a facebook private message (even though I know you aren’t on right now. It can wait. Just FYI 🙂 )
Jackie–when you shared on (wow, looking back at the date was it really just yesterday? with the week I’ve had it feels like a year ago!) anyway, you referenced Proverbs 14:1 “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” and said “this morning I ignored danger and tore down rather than building…This day I will be praying for opportunities to re-build where I have torn down.”, OH JACKIE! The Lord used your words to speak loud and clear to me about a particular work relationship…and I asked the Lord, begged Him, to give me the strength to make the first move (as Keller chimes in my head “it’s ALWAYS your move”). And He worked! It’s isn’t all rosy because of where this other person is emotionally, but I feel so at peace, and I am honestly amazed at how the Lord led me. I told my husband and he started to say how proud he was of me–and I said ‘you and I both know that was ALL Him”, and he had to agree 😉 But all that said–thank you–when you shared vulnerably about your own struggle, the Lord used it to convict me & prompt me to move. I prayed for your situation with your husband and will continue to. So thankful for you Jackie~
Ah Lizzy. “you and I both know that was ALL Him”. How truly true that is!! I wasn’t even planning on sharing yesterday….but the Spirit nudged me to do so. How grateful I am that my nudge became your very own nudge too. For He had a work to do in you yesterday that showed you more of Himself….more of His amazing ways! I’m also so thankful for your prayers for my husband and myself – he was very quick to forgive me yesterday. And so….my prayer for ALL of us here is that the re-building would continue in our lives this day. Oh Lord, You and You alone are the one who re-builds and restores. You alone are the one who restores the years the locusts have eaten. Help us this day to walk in your footprints. Help us to see the unseen all around us and like Elisha’s servant, to take courage as we see You in the hopeless situations of our lives. With You nothing is impossible. And You are very good.
I also didn’t comment last week on the conversation with Dee and Amy (and Twila praying!) at the Bible study. This too, was such a showcase that was ALL Him!! Though Amy had a pliable, lovely heart….and Dee was so in tune with the Holy Spirit….and Twila was so quick to pray with Dee……in the end, the entire episode was one that spoke volumes of our God! Such stories from our lives really ARE crucial for us to share. In them we see more and more of our God. As a result our delight in Him, our trust in Him in the midst of the mundane is spurred on!
C. A fool uses anger to control
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”
Proverbs 18:6 ESV
so true! I agree again with Jan. It is so easy to get caught up in this way! Just tonight I wanted Sarah to do something out of her comfort zone but important to her future. as she was not being agreeable, I felt myself getting angrier and angrier, wanting to control her. She was giving me a “beating ” My voice got louder and louder and she wouldn’t budge! I finally gave up. Later when things had calmed, she took her own step and it worked out the way I wanted it to after all.
4. What other verses about a fool stood out to you and how are they corollaries to the above three characteristics?
“If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.”
Proverbs 29:9 ESV
This is one encompasses all three! I love to debate, but I admit, sometimes I have argued a point that turns to this situation. It was when I didn’t have all the facts in place, or enough information to argue the point clearly. I became the “fool.” I kept on and on, to try to make my point to no avail.
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
“…What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?”
Proverbs 25:7-8 ESV
I think this is referring to gossip, which I really can’t stand. I learned this about myself when in high school. I learned that if you participate, it eventually turns around on you. I have a general rule since then (a LONG time!) to avoid if possible. For example, when I enter a room where people are already participating in this activity, I turn and leave upon entry. It just works for me.
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
V. 11 and 12: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
A wonderful example of this is Dee’s interaction with Amy. Dee went to reproof her with words fitly spoken. Instead of being like drinking spoiled milk to Amy, it was like a fresh well of water to her. Dee attracted her to what she was saying rather than repelling her, and Amy had a listening ear so she was tender to it. Sometimes we can speak words that are like apples of Gold in a setting of silver and the listerner may not be offended but also may not heed wisdom. So I think here-you have to have both-the wise reproofer and the receptive heart.
Rebecca – oh, what a beautiful reframing of the story of Dee and Amy!! “The wise reproofer and the receptive heart”…..and both wisdom and receptive hearts are gifts from the Father! Also important was the readiness to go to prayer in Twila behind the scenes, so to speak! Thanks for sharing this – a perfect example of the Scripture you chose to highlight! 🙂
I shudder to think what my response would have been if Dee’s approach had been like drinking spoiled milk! I hope I would have been as receptive, but can’t say for certain. Thank you Lord that she used the “fresh water” approach, and please keep my heart soft, malleable and receptive; and cast out all my pride! 🙂
6. What word picture is given about a fool below and why does this show that is may not work to reason with him?
This is a great word picture. You can’t reason with a dog when it is doing what is natural. So like a fool-you can’t reason with a fool whose eyes haven’t been opened by Jesus. He will keep doing what is natural and refuse to listen. His natural bend away from God isn’t pliable. It isn’t being heated and shaped by God to start bending toward Him instead.
Such a good explanation of “dog returning to vomit.” One young woman asked Jan Silvious if her abusive unfaithful husband would regret one day what he had done to her and Jan said, “No, he will do it again with another naive Christian girl.” And he has.
4. What other verses about a fool stood out to you and how are they corollaries to the above three characteristics?
Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. – The Message translation of Proverbs 1:7. I think this about sums up why fools have all the characteristics of fools. They “thumb their noses” at God and are left with only themselves. I often get this strange thought when I’m out and about; I think how many of the people I see around me are living as if God is irrelevant? It’s like watching mice running on the wheel in their cages…people rushing, hurrying, going to and fro, but going nowhere.
2. Watch this 30 minute video and share your notes and comments. Well….I was so intrigued by Jan’s 1st video that I sorta rushed ahead and listened to the next two videos in the series – wow! How needed her message is. At first I must admit that when she talked so much from Proverbs, that I went back in my mind to our introduction to Proverbs here and reminded myself that Proverbs is a book of maxims. I let a little caution flag go up in my mind to be certain that the teaching was not in conflict with the whole of Scripture – in particular that it squared with what Jesus and the New Testament writers might have to say about fools! With that in mind, I did appreciate that one of Jan’s key verses is found in Romans 12:18….”If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV). In the past I’ve often wondered why it is that we are in such a rush to berate ourselves that we blow right by the qualifiers in the first portion of this verse! What FREEDOM to see that the only one I can change is me!!
I have been so enriched by Jan’s teaching and am very grateful that you shared it here Dee. Nanci – your notes were incredibly helpful as well!
As I shared privately with someone here, the one caution flag that remains is the idea of “arrangements vs. relationships”. On the one hand I think it’s a fantastically useful and helpful lens to begin to view our relationships/arrangements with so many others in our lives. However, particularly with the example of marriage, I have a little trouble with this paradigm. Though I can surely relate to the PRACTICAL view of seeing a marriage that is in trouble as an arrangement only, I would be very careful to not forget that what GOD calls marriage is marriage! I think that if we being telling ourselves that our marriage is an “arrangement”, that can be a subtle “out” for us that God may not have intended. While I do believe that 1 Corinthians 7, for example, surely shows that believers can be at peace in certain circumstances with letting a marriage go and separating it is still a marriage and not an arrangement!
That caution in place (for me at least! 🙂 ) I lOVE so many of the points that Jan makes from this! I think the entire concept of “in their presence, but not under their power” is pure gold!! It is Sooooo biblical that we are living out our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit – ideally! – and in that sense, every single thing we do we do for Christ. If I had only one take away from Jan’s 1st video this would be it. In every single relationship/arrangement that is in my life I CAN be “in their presence but not under their power”. Amen!
Jackie, I appreciated the caution that you give here concerning Jan’s idea of “arrangements vs. relationships”. Especially in a marriage, we have made a covenant promise and ought not to step “out” of it lightly. I too have been pondering this issue as Jan portrays it, but had not resolved it in my mind. There are no easy answers here.
Jackie & Diane I understand the concern, giving people who’ve entered into the covenant of marriage a thought that makes it simpler for them to detach from their spouse is something to be extremely careful with.I feel that tension too
But so I am glad the church is waking up to the very real abuse of various kinds that women (usually it is women) live with, that not every pastor who hears of abuse is telling the woman to go home, submit and pray. We had a domestic violence seminar recently at our church, it is hard to hear and know about what is going on, but God is for the helpless, He isn’t blind to whats happening and we shouldn’t be either. These women are so beaten down they can’t think clearly about their abusers. I am glad Jan and Justin Holcomb (Is it My Fault?) and others are lighting the way for the church to really deal with these issues instead of sticking their heads in the sand.
I am kind of on a soapbox! If I am coming across harshly I apologize, this gets me fired up at our real enemy!
Chris-AGREE with you-so glad the church is waking up to abuse of various kinds. That we don’t have to stay in that situation. That God hating divorce isn’t merely that He hates divorce just because it is divorce. He hates it because of how it hurts spouses and children and families. He loves us! God hates oppression and violence against women and children too. He would not want us to stay in a situation with an abusive, unrepentant spouse. He longs for us to bend toward him in marriage, working out things, but when a spouse is abusing his wife and children and doesn’t repent, I firmly believe God doesn’t desire for us to stay in a marriage like that.
Jackie — I knew you would watch with discernment and so I appreciate your thoughts so much.
Jackie, I agree with Dee in that you discern so well. He has clearly given you that gift!
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you. Well, I didn’t have to puzzle over this one at all. Vs. 21 says “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” This circles be right back into Romans 12, where Paul repeats this very thought in vs. 20! I had already been pondering vs. 14-21 of Romans 12 while thinking on Jan’s video and her reference to vs. 18 of that chapter. When the Lord so weaves together Scriptures and teachings and conversations….well, I know He’s directing me to sit up and take notice and to work out how He wants to work this out through my mundane life. 🙂 But there surely is nothing mundane about it at all…..for the thrust of doing good to an enemy is ALWAYS to see that enemy come to a place of repentance! And oh my, how this process of caring for and doing good to an enemy CHANGES US. My initial reaction is to see that the Scriptures show that doing good to an enemy is like burning coals upon his head – I’m thinking “YES!!!! bring it on!!!”. BUT…..the whole point of bringing coals upon his head is NOT that he be harmed, but that he repent of his ways and come into relationship with the Living God!! The fact that God goes into the murky waters of my soul and begins to grow that desire in me to see my enemy come to Christ….well, that is NOT me!! But in this process He takes me back again to my days as HIS enemy (Romans 5:10)and I am undone. Oh the wonder working power of the blood of Christ.
Jackie, I can relate to ” “I’m thinking “YES!!!! bring it on!!!”.” God is still working on transforming me. 🙂 I look forward to the day when I heap the burning coals on their head only so that my enemy will repent and give their heart to Him.
Jackie my heart was quickened with that very same verse. So appreciate your ponderings and your courage to share those things you are challenged with always going back to the Word.
Dear ladies, I am in California this weekend as Bill is running in a race here. I began re-reading Idol Lies on the way here. I am excited about the study, I am praying for the ladies who will come. When I came to Chapter 6 I wept. I realized how deeply the “When the Earth Shakes” chapter affects me and that I am going to have to process some of that out loud in front of people….oh my…fear! I know this is the next step of faith for me and that I need to put my hand in my Lords and go forward, but it does rock me to think about it.
If God lays this on your hearts will you pray for me about this?
Chris, hope you have a good time in California. Thanks for sharing about your need to prayer regarding When the Earth Shakes. I know this will be hard to you. I will pray for you as you put your hand in the Lord’s and go forward.
Chris-oh Chris…My experience in facilitating Idol Lies is this: HE. COMES. 🙂 Lord Jesus thank you thank you for Idol Lies. Thank you that you are calling us back to you-to turn our affections from our idols to you-to behold you! Comfort Chris with your presence throughout the whole study but especially so in chapter 6. We ask that you would fan the flame of desire for you through Idol Lies and through Chris as she leads.
Yes Chris. May our Lord give you courage and humility as you lead this study. Our own brokenness can draw all men to Him who was broken for us.
Thank you Diane, Rebecca and Nila. And thank you Rebecca for tracking with me on the abuse/ divorce thing too, Iwish we could all do a face to face one a week.
Chris, I agree! Maybe we could Skype or FaceTime?
7. What stood out to you this week and why?
I want to read fool proofing your life! This week has been a wonderful warning to me to beware of getting too close to fools. Also a warning to ask Him to search my heart and if there is any offensive way in me-lead me in His way everlasting. I need to commune with Him before I make choices, and before I speak..for my heart has dark waters unknown to me..I can EASILY make foolish choices or jump with my tongue spewing out poison arrows rather than apples of Gold.
I also learned there is a distinction between being foolish-which all believers can be, and being a fool which is someone who doesn’t have a relationship with God-whose bend is frozen away from God unless God breathes life into him-then and only then can he change. I learned the marks of a fool so I know what to watch out for: one who thinks they are always right, who trusts in his own heart and uses anger to control. SO I need to be sensitive to that in the arenas God puts me in like at the school I work at, and even at church for there are ‘religious fools’ there. To be kind to them but to keep a safe distance for it can be treacherous because I am frail and can be tempted, and can easily make foolish choices!
Good summary, Rebecca.
4. What other verses about a fool stood out to you and how are they corollaries to the above three characteristics? For example, because a fool is “always right” he doesn’t need to listen to others but babbles on. (Proverbs 10:14)
Proverbs 10:18 “He who conceals his hatred has lying lips and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” I think the last half of this proverb would be classified under “B. A fool is always right.” If the fool believes he/she is right, then there is nothing to hold back the slander that progresses from that. If the fool spreads slander about another person, and then, if it is proven to be wrong information, then they really appear to be the fool they are.
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
Proverbs 25:21-22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him wataer to drink In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
I knew I had heard these verses somewhere in the New Testament. In researching, I learned that Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21. Also in Matthew 5:44, Jesus encourages us to pray for those who hurt us. The commentary for this verse in my Life Application Study Bible says “By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge.”
6. What word picture is given about a fool below and why does this show that is may not work to reason with him?
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.” It shows that even when something is a bad experience (causing one to vomit — either figuratively or literally), there is that tendency to continue to do the foolish thing that causes the bad experience. Since the fool is mentally set on doing the same thing over and over, it is probably a waste of time and breath to try to change him. He is, after all, a fool!
5. Read Proverbs 25 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
v.16 “If you find honey, eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.”
v.27 “It is not good to eat too much honey
or to seek glory after glory.”
Both of these verses speak to excess, and honey is sweet, so in a way I see this as somewhat representative of self-indulgence. Ecclestiastes 5:3 was like God on a bullhorn pointed an inch from my ear!
“And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”
When I indulge my tendency to be self-focused and talk too much, I am behaving as a fool. I am glad to have a receptive heart that listened when Dee approached me, and I pray God will take the play-dough and mold it into something devoid of pride and selfish tendencies.
Amy,
Me too. Amen I pray God will take the play-dough and mold it into something devoid of pride and selfish tendencies.
7. What stood out to you this week and why?
Jan’s video really hit me between the eyes.
6. What word picture is given about a fool below and why does this show that it may not work to reason with him?
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
Since the fool believes there is no God, it makes sense that he would return to his folly, because there are no eternal consequences. Effectively, the fool has a mental block, and reason will not really get through because he has put up a solid wall around his mind.
When I was clinically depressed, my counselor told me that certain things would seem impossible, simply because my mind was not even open to the possibility. In much the same way, when the fool has determined to close his mind to even the possibility of God, trying to convince him otherwise is fruitless.
So, if he won’t be convinced that God exists, he probably won’t be convinced that what he’s doing is folly, and will therefore have good reason to just keep on running back to his vomit.
7. What stood out to you this week and why?
Fools talk a lot, do not recognize their own folly, hate instruction and knowledge, and cannot be reasoned with. I was saddened reading the characteristics of a fool, and realizing that I am guilty of many of them. But then I read Psalm 69:5 “O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You.” This verse gave me so much hope. I thought, “Yes, He knows all of me, but He loves me anyway, and gave His son for me.”
He is not done with me yet, and I do not despise wisdom and instruction like I used to. When I used to mentally beat myself down, I perceived any instruction as a threat – it was simply another reminder of how awful I was, and put me on the defensive. God is showing me that even when I act foolishly, I am not a fool. As you said at the very beginning Dee, “A true child of God cannot be a fool.”
He’s also showing me that being corrected does not make me a worthless idiot – how I used to think of myself. He’s showing me that being soft, open and responsive is the opposite of being foolish. So, when I display my teachable heart, I am “…grow[ing] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ”The second part of that verse is my prayer: “To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”(2 Peter 3:18 HCSB)
So good to hear you speaking truth to your soul, Amy!
Amy,
Thankyou for these hopeful words here.
Thank you both. I am becoming more aware of when the Enemy is lying to me, and now I realize how critical it is to know the truth (God’s Word) and speak the truth to myself whenever those bad thoughts invade.
So love to hear this, Amy. So wish I could be at the baptism with you all this afternoon but have company and plans! But my thoughts will be with you.
Thanks for sending your thoughts our way Dee. It was beautiful!
Amy, this is the 3rd time that I have encountered an encouragement to speak truth to our souls. Indeed, the enemy can be relentless in his lies and accusations. The Word of God is nevertheless powerful as Hebrews 4:12 says, …Active and living …sharper than any two edged sword…judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Truly, when we let the Word speak to our souls, he allows us to discern truth from lies. Thank you for your testimony of humility and malleable heart.
Yes, I have come to realize that truth is sooo important! I am glad my testimony has encouraged you. When Dee approached me about sharing my story, I said yes for exactly that reason – I wanted other women to benefit from it.
7. What stood out to you this week and why?
Jan Silivious’ video was a huge standout for me. As many of you are aware, I was in a first marriage that lasted ten years; truthfully the erosion began already two years in. Despite three different counseling attempts to “work it out” the marriage died…it was long since dead by the time it was legally ended. Each deception, lie, hurtful word, etc. extinguished love from my heart until there was no more…the light of love was gone. Similar to Diane’s daughter’s ex-husband, my ex claimed to be a Christian, yet all indicators tell me otherwise. In some Christian circles I feel the need to defend the dissolution of this marriage, to justify ending the union…many can be so judgmental, without any understanding of details and truth involved. I am at peace with the Lord in this, He knows my heart and that is what truly matters.
And out of your suffering, God has brought forth gold, Nanci.
Nanci, your sharing here has helped me a lot as I come alongside my friend who is going through something similar to your situation. I ache for her and for her family and pray she would turn to God as you obviously have and find Him enough to move on with her life. The journey will be very difficult but God will be there for her as He has with you.
Nanci thanks for sharing and sorry for what you went thru. I have to confess the first thing the Lord seems to be doing in me is making me realize one never truly knows all the details of what someone is going through and to love them and Not to judge them. Another thing I am working with is the pain of not sharing my details to support my decision to leave to make myself perhaps look better. I know I may be judged. I also need to battle the shame I am feeling at times. When I look at that I see such pride underneath all of that type of thinking. Definitely dealing with some heart idols here. Lord continue to burn away the dross.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?That we can be deceived by fools if we are naive. I sometimes am naive, I want to give everyone the benefit of a doubt.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?You can forgive them without making yourself vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
What stands out to you and why?
To be on the watch for naivete in my life in relating to fools. (Discernment)
It struck me also that fools despise wisdom and instruction. And I believe the despising here is because of pride. And oh, to be watchful of pride in my heart for we would be like Satan as pride is what led to his downfall.
What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
What Jan S. said… be in their presence but not under their power. To pray for that person as David has done with Saul, to be quiet but thoughtful and vigilant as Abigail with Nabal.
6. What word picture is given about a fool below and why does this show that is may not work to reason with him?
The word picture is pretty gross, but I do know that dogs behave this way (unfortunately). I think Bing gave the reasons why dogs behave like this ..instinct and avoidance of predators. It seems they can’t help themselves; they are wired this way. In the case of a fool, is he just wired that way and has to learn from many mistakes, or not at all? Is there any chance for fools to change their ways? This is why I wanted to see more of Jan’s lessons. I understood the cycle, but it seemed a hopeless end. I haven’t tried to find her on Vimeo (not sure I know how to do that), but someone said they had trouble? Anyone try yet?
Proverbs 25:15 Patience can persuade a prince and soft speech can break bones! This was one of the verses that quickened me. Amy listed 2 others that I was also quickened with.
Soft speech is definitely a distinctive of a wise person as opposed to a fool who only rages and laughs…This week’s study and the video have been very useful.
Evaluating relationships and looking at one’s own heart is an important yet difficult task.
I am trying to talk less, listen more and wait on God. People who claim to be Christian, yet act like fools tend to be very prevalent…
I am working on dealing with my response to a person in my church who always thinks he is right and is controlling with an angry affect.
Pray that I know the appropriate way to act toward him, and not to react in bitterness. A few months ago I resigned from a committee I served on
with him as I knew that was my response and it was unhealthy.
I used a book on topical study from Proverbs, God’s Wisdom for Daily Living which is very helpful.
Some of the characteristics listed are A fool is corrupt in many ways. He is spiteful, destructive, dishonorable, hostile, ignorant, treacherous,vicious, hasty, impulsive, careless, self-righteous(Proverbs 12:15), quarrelsome, unstable, unreliable, unbearable (Proverbs 29:9), unreasonable, unrestrained, untruthful.
Each characteristic is followed up by verses.God knows the heartaches caused by a fool.
Thanks for the wonderful sharing each of you have made.
Week 2 What stands out to you?
The picture of Saul and David, Pattern of Betrayal, with Saul pointing the sword at David who has his harp.
2. What do you learn from David? David did not take matters into his own hands, but waited on God to act.
He respected Saul’s position as God’s anointed and restrained himself from harming Saul when he was sleeping in the cave!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I don’t really remember each of these stories very well; feeling lost. Wasn’t Saul David’s dad? And for some reason David was being chased by him? Abigail saved her people because Nabal was not going to help feed David’s army and she went to appeal (somehow) to the king to have mercy? I guess I need a review!
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
From just the few things you told us here, I’m thinking it is difficult to reason with a fool. You will get nowhere.
Laura, I believe David was the son of Jesse…and Saul was the king when David was just a boy shepherding sheep. But after David killed Goliath and the people began to admire David, Saul became jealous of him. Saul was the father of Jonathan, and he and David were best friends.
I wanted to ask you, how is your son adjusting to being away at college (in PA)? And how are you, with him being away?!
Thanks for reminding me about David and Saul, Susan. I went back and reread some of the story and remembered.
My son is doing well, he started classes today and said he really liked it. He has a bit of an issue with his roommate but I told him God has made everyone and he should be patient and kind 🙂 I haven’t talked to him as much as I wanted to; he was there all last week before classes started, working on mission work and orientation stuff. He seemed pretty busy. I’m doing OK with him being gone…. I do miss him a little bit. But he was always pretty independent anyway so we are all good. Thanks for asking!
Laura, I have searched up and down this week’s post and I am surprised that there is no clue as to where the story of Nabal and Abigail can be found. I had to pull out my concordance to discover it is in I Samuel chapter 25. You might want to look there and read it. It is a very interesting story. Perhaps Dee wanted everyone to pull out their concordance, in which case I am being a spoiler to post this now 🙂 Sorry, Dee!
Thanks Deanna! I did go look for the story and reminded myself what it was about. My lazy brain didn’t want to go look it up and just wanted to remember…. ha ha!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
David’s wisdom in dealing with Saul, that he wasn’t fooled by Saul’s “penitent speeches” because David saw the repeated pattern in Saul’s behavior. I think we can let our emotions get in the way of thinking clearly sometimes, or maybe because we want to believe the person has really changed, that we are taken-in again and again.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
From David, that forgiveness (of a fool) doesn’t mean you must trust them; it may be wise to keep safe boundaries between you and them. From Abigail, that it is pointless to try to reason with a fool; had she gone first to her husband, Nabal, it probably would have made the situation even worse. I have heard some teaching in the past in which a wife is to be submissive even when her husband is making foolish decisions…the “sit back and pray” thing. Abigail takes matters into her own hands, and rightly so in this situation, or they all would have been killed.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? My continual thoughts when reading through the introduction this week were of Jesus – NO ONE was a more masterful example of how to deal with fools!! Perhaps religious fools most of all….so many times in the gospels we see his interactions with the Pharisees, in particular. It is so fascinating to see how Jesus would listen to their questions and then zero in on their HEARTS! So many times when he would literally cut the ground out from under them….even yet, you could see his willingness to throw them a lifeline if they would have ears to hear and repent. I’m so moved to think of Nicodemus – still a fool when he came to Jesus by night …..but likely a disciple of Jesus at some point. My soul dances to see Nicodemus, along with Joseph tenderly caring for the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. A bold move that I can only see as his staking his claim to his love and devotion to this One who had pierced his heart. 🙂
AMEN SISTER!! You pulled that together beautifully.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool? I love Abigail so much….and have often turned to this story in 1 Samuel 25 to glean wisdom from what we can see of her life here in this story. But one thing that I learn from this little story is that just because we may have discernment and wisdom in dealing with one fool or one circumstance, we cannot rest on our laurels and feel like we’ve “got the program down”! I think Abigail was actually dealing with TWO “fools” in this particular circumstance! Though David was a man after God’s own heart…..and we see so MUCH in his life to love and follow after….in this particular instance, by David’s own words, he was about to act rashly. Foolishly. David and his men were clearly exhausted, hungry and probably a bit discouraged at this point. Then Nabal dissed David big time. I love David’s words in vs. 32&33: “And David said to Abigail, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand.” David tells us that he was about to work salvation with his own hand! Wow. How FOOLISH. By his own words, he then would have carried “bloodguilt” before the Lord. Oh my.
So clearly, while Abigail showed much discretion in protecting not only Nabal, but all of the men with him…..she ALSO protected David from his own foolish actions – working salvation with his own hands and then carrying bloodguilt. Abigail shows us that we can simply never know how God will use our willingness to be His hands and feet. What sorrow He may stay through our willingness to be His agents of discretion and peace in the midst of foolishness. How humbling. Though Abigail shines in this story, ONLY GOD could have worked through her in this way!
Jackie,
Loved this: What sorrow He may stay through our willingness to be His agents of discretion and peace in the midst of foolishness. How humbling.
Needing his help again today, to be that agent of discretion and peace.
Jackie I appreciated your input here, on the foolishness of David as well as Nabal, I guess the contrast is that David could repent of his foolishness.
I pray and believe ALL fools can repent. With God all things are possible.
Beautiful Jackie!
Jackie loved this post. Yes when dealing with a fool we can become just as foolish with our responses. I often times call it two heads of pride bucking up against each other because I know in my own case pride is usually at the bottom of my foolsih responses. That and self protection.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Only fools say in their hearts, “there is no God.” Psalm 14:1. Saul and Nabal were both fools because they tried to handle things their way, without any guidance or help from God. They probably weren’t walking around saying that there is no God, but their actions proved them to be fools.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
As some of you may remember, I got the cart before the horse last week and answered this question then. So I am just copying the answer I gave last week. I don’t believe I need to change it.
It seemed that in each of these cases, David and Abigail, they used their wits to avoid direct confrontations with someone who was being a fool. I think I learn that it is best to not to waste my time arguing, debating, or battling in any way with these types of people. It is better to just work around them and avoid them.
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
There is so much in these verses that got my attention. Verses 5-8 in particular. Also loved verse 20: ” Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” Refusing to pass on gossip cuts the fuel line and makes the fires (of anger) die out.
4. Why do you think Proverbs 26:4 and 5 give opposite advice?
I’m not sure these verses are contradictory. The writer is saying that we shouldn’t take a foolish person seriously and try to reason with his or her empty arguments. If we do, it will make them proud and determined to win the argument. In fact, in many situations we shouldn’t even try to answer a fool, as his mind is closed and there is no getting through to him. Choosing to answer may be the same as stooping to that person’s level. We will just end up in a terrible argument. They will never admit we are right.
5. What else do you learn about fools from Proverbs 26?
Verses 7 and 8 continue with advice about what happens if one answers a fool according to his folly. In the mouth of a fool, a proverb or piece of wisdom becomes as useless as a paralyzed leg. That is why some people can read the Proverbs and not gain much wisdom from them. It is useless to attempt to persuade the fool — it just bounces off of them. It is like tying the stone in the sling — it doesn’t go anywhere and will just swing back and hurt you.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
Both did not succumb to the fools’ foolishness; they were discerning and mindful of what was right in the Lord’s view and keeping with His will. David could have easily taken Saul’s life, but David was aware that Saul’s life and death was the Lord’s doing and not his action to take regardless of ease and opportunity.
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
“12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.”
The cross references for this were rich, deep, and sobering. The Revelation 3:17 verse never fails to check my heart.
Hosea 12:8 (ESV)
Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich;
I have found wealth for myself;
in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.”
Revelation 3:17 (ESV)
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Romans 12:16 (AMP)
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
4. Why do you think Proverbs 26:4 and 5 give opposite advice?
This did puzzle me, the Amplified Bible gave references to these verses, The Pharisee’s were trying to test or to trap Him. Jesus either refused to answer them, or he answered in a way that turned the game back upon them.
Matthew 16:1-4 Amplified Bible
“Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].
2 He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,
3 And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
4 A wicked and morally unfaithful generation craves a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then He left them and went away.”
Matthew 21:24-27 Amplified Bible
“24 Jesus answered them, I also will ask you a question, and if you give Me the answer, then I also will tell you by what power of authority I do these things.
25 The baptism of John—from where was it? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will ask us, Why then did you not believe him?
26 But if we say, From men—we are afraid of and must reckon with the multitude, for they all regard John as a prophet.
27 So they answered Jesus, We do not know. And He said to them, Neither will I tell you by what power of authority I do these things.”
Chris — wonderful illustrations from Jesus and the Pharisees for these proverbs!
Chris this was a very helpful illustration thank you!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
David forgave Saul but stayed a distance from him. There is forgiveness, but it is wise to stay distant. Just the beauty of wisdom displayed in David, that He could forgive yet keep a distance because he had a humble confidence before God.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
It started with both of them having hearts after God, pliable in His Hands-they were teachable, and God gave them discernment and Wisdom-they could hear Him because He was ultimate in their life-not Saul, not Nabal-so they are able to flee from fools-Saul and Nabal and not be bound by them. Such painful circumstances-yet such faithful hearts panting after God and trusting God for whatever came of it-their desire was to love and honor God first. SO for me I see their lives here and am deeply convicted of how short I fall and when I do hold God as ultimate it is because of Him NOT ME for my heart is wicked like Sauls and I can be a fool like Nabal..so I see myself in them, yet at the same time desire to be more like David and Abigail.
I would like to give an example..There have been times God has helped me see the folly and has helped me to have a safe distance from a fool, yet there have been times I didn’t because my approval idol was ultimate-and I suffered hugely because of it. What I see in David and Abigail encourages me so because the ‘fools’ in their life had more powerful roles in their culture than the fools in my life so this is a HUGE indicator of how wise God made them as a result of how they pressed into Him and surrendered themselves to Him daily. We see this in the Psalms with David especially. Yes, David made mistakes and wasn’t wise-like me! But we also see here-which encourages me…two lives pressing into God-how powerful He is in molding hearts that are teachable. I just pray..and I mean this..that my heart never grows cold! I think-going to what Amy said-that we need Him…Need to be with Him in His Word daily..need to be memorizing..we just need to see as Amy so richly shows us that WE NEED HELP! DAILY..WE NEED HIM. David and Abigail show this so mightily.
Thank you for such inspiring words Rebecca! I have come to see the inevitable chaos and destruction that comes from relying on my own strength. More and more each day, I am learning how wise it is to hand everything over to Him, and stop listening to anything that does not line up with His Word. There are some people I have known who have a very hard time asking for help. Well, you are so right that “WE NEED HELP!” In fact, the Bible regards being a helper as a lofty and exalted position. Being a helper, and asking FOR help are signs of strength, not weakness!
Yes Amy-isn’t it awesome how ‘upside down’ the Gospel is? :))) What the world considers strength really isn’t. 🙂 It would be so sweet to get to meet you for I so love your heart!
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
v. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
Back to item 3, David and Abigail did not answer Saul and Nabal according to their folly/foolishness (“do not answer a fool according to his folly”). They did not succumb to their folly and maintained wisdom (“lest you also be like him”).
v. 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
The catalyst of strife is contentiousness (i.e., one who is argumentative, disagreeable, quarrelsome, encouraging controversy). I have been reading Deborah Tannen’s book, The Argument Culture: Moving from debate to dialogue. The book talks of the tendency of our culture to portray issues in an opposing, contentious manner to arouse greater interest (e.g., differences in the tendencies of men and women tendencies versus the more common, battle of the sexes); this text is very telling. If opposing views, battle terminology, aggression is the manner in which our culture is intrigued to read news and articles, experience sports events, etc., strife is inevitable.
v 24-25a He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
I was in a recent conversation with a friend who was “back-biting” another friend (I did not take part and was disturbed by the conversation). When these two gals are together, one would not know that any dislike/disdain exists, but based on upon what I heard, clearly there is dislike on one side. After hearing this back-biting, judgment, I questioned whether this person really likes me, or if perhaps I am the subject of back-biting, judgment to others she speaks with. This text is a warning.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Psalm 14:1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
I remember a video I saw on YouTube, that had athiests/agnostics on one side of the audience, and believers on the other. One of the non-believers spoke to a believer and said she didn’t believe because, “I’m not an idiot.” Such a clear example of 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Whenever I see/hear an unbeliever, I almost always want to have this conversation:
Unbeliever (UB): I don’t believe in God.
Believer (B): Can you prove that He doesn’t exist?
UB: Well, no.
B: What if you just happen to be wrong? How will you explain your unbelief to Him?
UB: I will tell Him I didn’t believe because He gave no conclusive proof of His existence.
B: We all interpret data through a worldview, so if you have already decided there is no God (your worldview), then how could He ever give you proof? Your mind is closed to even the possibility.
Too bad it’s not that easy to convince “those who are perishing.”
Yet, Amy, there are so many people who believe in life on other planets because it must be there, and, all indicators are that it should be there. Amazing isn’t it?
the italics should be in quotes….I got the red error code and had to alter.
I know Laura! They will more readily accept life on other planets than the idea of a loving Creator. I agree, it’s just amazing.
I was listening to an old Nancy Leigh Demoss program today and wouldn’t you know?? she talked about David and Saul! She said they were both kings who sinned, so why did David remain in God’s favor? She said it was because David humbly asked forgiveness and took total responsibility for his actions and Saul did not. Saul tried to blame others for his sinning instead of accepting the responsibility for himself. Interesting.
Laura, my husband Eric is involved in a program called Men’s Fraternity (Robert Lewis is the creator), and by the end of Year 1, the men are given a definition of authentic manhood. Your reference to David and Saul made me think of it because one takes responsibility, and one doesn’t. The definition provided says that authentic manhood:
1. Rejects passivity
2. Accepts responsibility
3. Leads courageously
4. Expects God’s greater reward
Go figure that the man after God’s own heart would exemplify #1 and #2 in this context.
2. What do you learn from David or Abigail about relating to a fool?
Reason and logic are never, ever, going to work on a fool. Abigail did not even attempt to talk to Nabal before leaving, because she already knew it would make no difference. I had an ex-boyfriend who would often talk about making changes in his life, but never actually do anything. Eventually, I began to regard his talk with more skepticism, because I saw his pattern of behaviour, just as David observed Saul’s.
Jesus said “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). I think this adage is also quite relevant: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” If we keep on buying into the fool’s penitent speeches after we have seen that he does not make lasting change, then we are being duped by the fool. And the clear danger is that if we keep on buying into it, we may fall victim to the fool’s logic and start to believe it ourselves! It reminds me of Lot getting too close to Sodom and Gomorrah – he got so close that he bought into their sinful lifestyle, and nearly perished with them as a result.
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Proverbs 26:12 ESV
I guess this would mean that this type of man would not listen to counsel from anyone; they are always right in their own eyes. Sometimes it helps to see things from another perspective.to understand completely a situation.
4. Why do you think Proverbs 26:4 and 5 give opposite advice?
I suppose it means to just not answer a fool period? Don’t “get in to it” with them? It’s useless, you won’t convince them one way or another. My son was very upset a few weeks ago and took it out on me. I tried to just listen and not respond, and that seemed to make him more mad. Had I entered into the rant, it would have been a similar outcome.
3. Read Proverbs 26 in its entirety and share anything that quickens you.
Proverbs 26: 24-26 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
This is a warning for me to be gracious to but not get close with someone who hates others.
I have learned this can manifest itself via someone who gossips maliciously, yet is very kind and gracious to me. I befriended a gal like that once and learned the hard way-but I know now to stay away next time. In the early going as I got to know her she gossipped maliciously about a few other people yet was sweet as pie to me and others she felt worthy of. She gave generously, was very “religious”-Jesus plus works = salvation and had no tolerance for anyone who wasn’t perfect in her eyes. God is warning that regardless of what she looked like on the outside-generous and kind to me-inwardly roars hatred which was eating away at her. I befriended her even after hearing from someone else who was the object of her wrath to beware of her for I thought if she could see Jesus He could change her. I was foolish to befriend her and boy did she turn on me in the end as she did several others and what was inside was “exposed in the assembly”-the lion got out and everyone saw the evil inside.
4. Why do you think Proverbs 26:4 and 5 give opposite advice?
I wasn’t sure…good question 🙂 This site, http://www.gotquestions.org/Proverbs-26-4-5.html, explains it well:
“The futility of trying to impart wisdom to a fool is the basis of Proverbs 26:4-5, which tell us how to answer a fool. These seemingly contradictory verses are actually a common form of parallelism found in the Old Testament, where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms, lest we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Because he despises wisdom and correction, the fool will not listen to wise reason and will try to draw us into his type of argument, whether it is by using deceit, scoffing at our wisdom, or becoming angry and abusive. If we allow him to draw us into this type of discourse, we are answering him “according to his folly” in the sense of becoming like him.The phrase “according to his folly” in verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. In this sense answering him according to his folly means to expose the foolishness of his words, rebuking him on the basis of his folly so he will see the idiocy of his words and reasoning. Our “answer” in this case is to be one of reproof, showing him the truth so he might see the foolishness of his words in the light of reason. Even though he will most likely despise and reject the wisdom offered to him, we are to make the attempt, both for the sake of the truth which is always to be declared, and for the sake of those listening, that they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.”
5. What else do you learn about fools from Proverbs 26?
(v. 1) a fool being honored is as out of place as snow in summer. (v. 8) honor given to a fool is undeserved; for those giving undeserved honor to a fool, they will appear foolish and their judgment questioned.
(v. 2) the curse spoken by the fool will boomerang back to him/her
(v. 6) one cannot depend upon a fool
(v. 9) a fool is prideful
Time to get ready for work…I will need to add to my list later.
(v. 10) the fool is destined for an eternity in hell
(v. 11) the fool is continually enticed by sin and continues sinning, not learning from previous sin
(v. 12) the fool believes him/herself perfect with no need for improvement
You all are getting such wonderful insights from Abigail and David’s stories.
Okay I am going out on a limb here but the David and Abigail has always sort of annoyed me. I felt like I was reading a fiction book with the Prince charming coming and rescuing Abigail from her fool. I am tempted to daydream on that topic and know that is not something good for me to do given my 30 year life situation. I have tried very hard not to compare my situation to anyone else and NEVER read novels with story lines that cause me to dream of something along those lines. Even Christian novels. Okay there I haVe said it. I cannot tell you how many times the Abigail story has been presented and I tend to roll my eyes and say oh not this again!!!!!!
Just speaking honestly here from where my heart is today. Lord I NEED you to change me or help me to see what I need to be seeing. I know my vision has been tainted by things and I need healing. I thank you for my 30 years and know nothing with you is wasted and you are not done with me yet. I know I have bitterness in me that needs to be worked out and I know I have a God who can help me with that.
Oh Liz, I want to encourage you, your prayer honors God as you acknowledge your dependance and the desire to be lead and to see clearly! I am praying too.
Liz, I understand how you feel about David and Abigail (and Prince charming!). Praying for you dear one
You are so right Liz not to expect a Prince Charming rescue — unless it’s Jesus! I’m sure being one of David’s many wives was better than being married to Nabal, but had it’s own pain, I’m sure!
Only Jesus. So thankful for His rescue of me. I know the same rescue is there for everyone! Thank you for your prayers.
Liz, I won’t elaborate, but just to say that I do understand the temptations you describe in your post as I have experienced them myself, and the things it is better to avoid that feed those temptations. Keeping you in prayer, Liz.
6. What word picture is given about a fool that shows that it is wise to keep him at a safe distance, or at the very least, to guard your heart from him (or her)?
A man is better off to meet a Momma Bear who has been robbed of her cubs than to interact with a fool in his folly. We have made joking references in the past on this blog about how we tend to guard our children at times like a Momma Bear. In reality it not a joking matter — there are few forces of nature as strong or as violent as a Momma Bear protecting her cubs! All of this is to give a word picture that says “It is downright dangerous to mix it up with a fool and his folly. Better off to run and hide! One needs to give a fool his distance so as not to be sucked into his foolishness or waste precious time or breath trying to debate with him It is too easy to be brought down to a fool’s level. Particularly I find a fool to be infuriating, and it is not good for my soul to lose it and express anger at the fool. So it is better to just stand aside and let him rage on It is not like I would get any satisfaction or “win” the argument anywaY.
Very good point about the momma bear and guarding our children.
I know of parents who have laid down an absolute no about a marriage partner and it has worked, and some where it has backfired. I know relationship is key, and prayer — it is still so challenging. Thoughts?
Yes a very big challenge.
8. Read Luke 12:13-21
A. What initial observations do you have — about context, about his main problem?
The story opens with Jesus being approached by someone in a crowd. He addresses Jesus as “Rabbi” or “Teacher.” I think it was customary for people to bring problems to the rabbis for settling. This person wanted Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. At first it seems like Jesus tosses out the question in a form of rebuke: “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” However, then Jesus switches into his teaching mode, and warns the crowd to be on guard against greed. Jesus points out that a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Then he tells the story of a rich “fool” whose crops came in so well that he decided he would tear down his barns and build bigger and better ones. Then he planned to just sit back on his laurels and enjoy his wealth — apparently without any thought about his relationship with God or without any thought to helping anyone else with his wealth. He was kind of feeling like the proverbial “self-made man!” However, God gives him his come-uppins’. He is told he would be dying that very night and wouldn’t get to use all that wonderful stuff he stored. The real problem is not being in a right relationship with God. The 21st verse says “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
A. What initial observations do you have — about context, about his main problem?
The rich fool is mosfly concerned with his ownersbil of things, possession of crops to eat. He is not concerned with God.
B. Watch and comment:
Cute cartoon…and I’m not really a cartoon person 🙂 it drives the point home that more shoes, cars, stuff for my home, is not what is important in life. It is relationships, getting along, and being joyful about life that counts.
C. What parallel teaching do you see between proverbs concerning the fool and this parable?
Fools will be those who store up things and not listen to reason about knowing God. I still would like to listen to the second video of Jan and fool proofing your life. I looked on vimeo and only found numbers 5 and 6. Dee, please can we watch the second one where she (hopefully) explains how to undo the fool “cycle?” Thank you in advance!