Yesterday, we looked at some characteristics of fools. Just as a person can behave wisely, it is also possible to behave foolishly. Today, I want to consider more characteristics of a fool to know what to guard against and how not to act as one.
Fools are quick to get angry: They have a hot temper and a short fuse. We read from the book of Proverbs 29: 11 “You can recognize fools by the way they give full vent to their rage and let their words fly! But the wise bite their tongues and hold back all they could say” (TPT). You can easily provoke a fool. It is very easy to give you a piece of their mind. The Bible says anger rests in the bosom of a fool (Ecc 7: 9).
Fools don’t exercise control over their mouths: A fool has mouth diarrhea. They can’t control their words. They don’t know how to stop speaking. They are quick to speak. They don’t think before they speak. Rather, they speak before they think. You cannot trust a fool with your secret; they will reveal it, especially when they are excited or angry. Their mouth will get them into trouble (Pro 18: 7).
Fools dishonor whatever is precious: You cannot trust a fool with anything valuable because they don’t understand values. They treat everything as common and not sacred. They despise everything.
Fools are quick to pick a fight: They are always looking for trouble (Pro 20: 3). They always want to fight. They always instigate a fight with everyone around them and wherever they find themselves. Someone is always offending them. They have forgotten that God calls us to peace.
Fools always cause division among people: Fools not only pick a fight, they pick sides as well.
Fools are gullible: They can be easily misled. They are easily deceived.
Fools lack sense: To a fool, even common sense is not common (Pro 26: 6).
Fools don’t engage in activities that will move their life forward: In short, when someone is exhibiting foolishness, they tend not to engage in productive activities. They tend to engross themselves in destructive activities.
Fools will die prematurely: They will die before their time because they are not engaging in things that will preserve them.
Fools are impossible to deal with: You can’t reason with them because they think they are always right, and they don’t consider other people’s thoughts, observations, or point of view.
Fools don’t learn discernment: They walk into trouble because they cannot discern the traps that have been set for them. They can’t see evil from afar off, so they wander into evil and suffer the consequences of their stupidity.
Fools see themselves as their own source: They don’t recognize the input of others because they present to be wise in their own eyes. They don’t seek knowledge. Fools don’t know what they don’t know.
Fools hide hatred in their hearts: Proverbs 10: 18 declares: “The one who hides his hatred while pretending to be your friend is nothing but a liar. But the one who slanders you behind your back proves that he’s a fool, never to be trusted” (TPT).
Fools will miss people who will point them in the right direction: “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving” (Prov. 14:7-8).
Fools engage in reckless activities: The sad thing about it is that they think that they are having fun. Proverbs 10:23 says: “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.” They enjoy doing what is wrong continuously, and they see it as playing games.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to be foolish in Jesus’ name. Amen!
