Characteristics of fools (2)

The world regards Christians as fools

1 Corinthians 4:10 NASB95

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

See also 1 Co 1:26–31

The world regards the gospel as foolish

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB95

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

See also 1 Co 1:20–25

Fools do not believe in God

Psalm 53:1 NASB95

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good.

See also Ro 1:21

Fools do not trust God

Hosea 7:11 NASB95

So Ephraim has become like a silly dove, without sense; They call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

See also 2 Ch 16:7–9; Is 19:11–13; Is 30:1

Fools lack knowledge of God

Jeremiah 4:22 NASB95

“For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

See also Je 5:4; Je 5:21; Ps 92:6; Lk 24:25; Eph 5:15–17

The behaviour of fools

Fools worship idols

Jeremiah 10:8 NASB95

But they are altogether stupid and foolish In their discipline of delusion—their idol is wood!

See also Je 10:14; Ro 1:22–23

Fools act in a godless manner

Isaiah 32:6 NASB95

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.

See also Ps 94:5–8; Pr 10:23; Ec 7:25; Je 4:22

Fools are dishonest

Jeremiah 17:11 NASB95

“As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid, So is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly; In the midst of his days it will forsake him, And in the end he will be a fool.”

Fools give vent to their anger

Proverbs 29:11 NASB95

A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

See also Ec 7:9

Fools are disobedient

1 Samuel 13:13 NASB95

Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

See also 2 Sa 24:10; Ps 107:17; Pr 10:8

Fools despise instruction and discipline

Proverbs 1:22 NASB95

“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge?

See also Pr 1:28–33; Pr 5:23; Pr 12:15; Is 65:2; Je 18:12; Eze 3:7

The speech of fools

Fools speak unwisely

Proverbs 18:6–7 NASB95

A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

See also Ec 10:12; Eph 5:4

Fools are slanderous

Proverbs 10:18 NASB95

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.

See also 2 Pe 2:15

Fools are mockers

Proverbs 14:9 NASB95

Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

See also Pr 1:22; Pr 14:6; Pr 23:9; Pr 24:9

Fools love quarrelling and dissension

Proverbs 20:3 NASB95

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

See also Pr 19:1; 1 Ti 1:4; 1 Ti 6:4; 2 Ti 2:23; Tt 3:9

The words of fools are empty

Proverbs 15:2 NASB95

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

See also Pr 14:7; Pr 26:7; Ec 9:17; Ec 10:14

Fools rely on themselves

Proverbs 12:15 NASB95

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

See also Pr 14:12; Pr 28:26

Fools rely on words, not deeds

James 2:20 NASB95

But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

See also Ec 5:4; Lk 11:39–40