Characteristics of fools

The world regards Christians as fools

1 Corinthians 4:10 NKJV

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

See also 1 Co 1:26–31

The world regards the gospel as foolish

1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV

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.

See also 1 Co 1:20–25

Fools do not believe in God

Psalm 53:1 NKJV

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

See also Ro 1:21

Fools do not trust God

Hosea 7:11 NKJV

11 “Ephraim also is 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 NKJV

22 “For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”

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 NKJV

8 But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.

See also Je 10:14; Ro 1:22–23

Fools act in a godless manner

Isaiah 32:6 NKJV

6 For the foolish person will speak foolishness, And his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, To utter error against the Lord, To keep the hungry unsatisfied, And he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

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

Fools are dishonest

Jeremiah 17:11 NKJV

11 “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool.”

Fools give vent to their anger

Proverbs 29:11 NKJV

11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

See also Ec 7:9

Fools are disobedient

1 Samuel 13:13 NKJV

13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done 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 NKJV

22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, 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 NKJV

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

See also Ec 10:12; Eph 5:4

Fools are slanderous

Proverbs 10:18 NKJV

18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

See also 2 Pe 2:15

Fools are mockers

Proverbs 14:9 NKJV

9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

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

Fools love quarrelling and dissension

Proverbs 20:3 NKJV

3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a 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 NKJV

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

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

Fools rely on themselves

Proverbs 12:15 NKJV

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

See also Pr 14:12; Pr 28:26

Fools rely on words, not deeds

James 2:20 NKJV

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

See also Ec 5:4; Lk 11:39–40