Wisdom and Folly

Introduction

Wisdom and folly ought to be helpful terms in helping us understand God and how to think about certain behaviors and or paths in life.

Unfortunately, I think some are using that language as a sort of loophole to dismiss or at least reduce the impact of God’s teaching on certain matters.

So it goes like this, “well, the Bible calls that foolish but I couldn’t say it is a sin.”

So it downgrades clear teaching on one subject or another into a category of mere personal judgment.

Wisdom

Dictionary definition - good sense; a wise attitude, belief, or course of action.

The word can refer to expertise (Ex. 28:3; 31:6).

It can refer to a sense of shrewdness (2 Sam. 20:22; 1 Kgs. 2:6).

There is a wisdom that is utterly separated from God (Jas. 3:13-15).

The typical usage is that which begins with the fear of God (Prov. 9:10).

It is the opposite of wickedness (Prov. 10:13).

It is displayed in the keeping of God’s commands (Deut. 4:6).

Folly

Dictionary definition - having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion; absurd or ridiculous.

There is some of this type of usage in the Bible (Prov. 1:4).

Even here, the naive are moving in a direction (Prov. 1:22; 14:18).

There is also a usage that means insanity (1 Sam. 21:13).

But it is typically much more serious (Deut. 22:21; Psa. 14:1).

It is not a word to use lightly (Matt. 5:22).

Sin or Folly?

There are degrees of wisdom (1 Cor. 7:28).

To say that something isn’t the wisest thing or the BEST thing, doesn’t make the other thing sin.

Martha was not doing a sinful thing in providing for her guest.

To say someone is acting foolishly is a serious charge (Matt. 5:22).

Attitude may make the difference between sin or naiveté.

It may even make the difference between wisdom and folly (2 Cor. 12:11).

But one who acts foolishly, acts contrary to God (Prov. 19:3).

Conclusion

There is no comfort in being called a fool instead of a sinner.

In fact, the former may be even a worse form of the latter.

If you refuse the offer to become a child of God, you are indeed acting foolishly. Not silly, or naively. Foolish.

The path of the fool is one directly towards destruction.

Don’t take comfort when your behavior is only described as foolish, take care.