Discerning a Biblical Fool

Being foolish and being a fool are very different. Some people live in folly. The bible is laced with reference to fools and the book of Proverbs reflects the true nature of the afflictions of a fool defining his character, behavior, and his misery. “Solomon said that proverbs are designed ‘to give prudence to the simple’” (Pro
1:4) (Jackson, 2002).

BIBLICAL FOOLS:

O LORD, how great are your works! and your thoughts are deep. A brutish man does not know; neither does a  fool understand. Psa 92:5-6

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Psa 107:17

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. Pro 1:32

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a fool who idly chatters shall fall. Pro 10:8

He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool. Pro 10:18

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise. Pro 12:15.

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Pro 14:3

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Pro 14:8

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor. Pro 14:9

A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident. Pro 14:16

A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. Pro 17:10

The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD. Pro 19:3


BECOMING A FOOL; TGIF TODAY GOD IS FIRST, BY OS HILLMAN
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. - Proverbs 1:7

Marvin Wilson, author of Our Father Abraham, has written incisively about the various meanings for our word "fool”:

In Biblical wisdom literature, the pupils of the sages and mentors are the unwise, often termed "fools" (Prov. 1:7) or "simple one" (1:22). In wisdom literature, the different levels of fools - both young and old - are the raw material on which the sages had to work, and they represent the varying degrees of rawness. Perhaps as much as anything else, the term fool is descriptive of an attitude, bent of mind, or direction in life, which needs correcting.

The various Hebrew words for fool occur more than a hundred times in the book of Proverbs. [Marvin Wilson, Our Father Abraham (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 284-286.]

The reference to someone being a fool was not necessarily a negative term. A simple fool, or peti, was a person who made mistakes, but quickly righted them and was restored to fellowship with God and with others. King David was a simple fool, one who made mistakes, but kept a repentant heart toward God. This is why God did not turn away from him for his many sins.

The hardened fool, kesil and ewil, makes mistakes, but never learns from them and will not listen to others. Such people can expect God's reproof to continue and will eat the fruit of their own way (see Prov. 1:31-32). The hardened fool "returns to his own vomit." King Saul was a hardened fool, one who made mistakes and continued in them even after realizing he was wrong. We're going to err in our ways. The question is, once we know we have made a mistake before God, do we make the necessary adjustments that will allow Him to intervene on our behalf? And will we avoid the same course of action in the future?
God says that if we do, He will pour out His Spirit on us (see Prov. 1:23).  He will make known His words to us.

The third level of fool mentioned in Proverbs is the mocking fool or letz. The mocking fool mocks the things of God. This word means "scoffer" or "scorner." When you encounter cynical people who disregard the things of God, you know these people are "mocking fools."

The fourth level of fool is the Goddenying fool or nabal. This term relates to the morally wicked person who ignores the disgrace he brings on his family and who despises holiness (see Prov. 17:21). This person says, "There is no God." By failing to acknowledge God for who He is, the Nabal declares himself to be a "Goddenying" fool.

I have found that it is helpful to try to understand if people are teachable. Are they simple fools, those who make mistakes but seek to learn from them? I can work with those people. But if I sense I am working with a hardened fool, I know I should not spend much time on that person. Jesus did not  spend much time trying to convince the rich young ruler. He presented truth, and let him make his decision.

Some people must get broken before they can become simple fools. Sometimes it is simply better to let satan
chew on people until the ground is fertile enough to present truth to them. "Reprinted by permission from the author. Os Hillman is an international speaker and author of more than 8 books on workplace calling. To learn more, visit http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org".

The Hebrew word for “simple” in Proverbs 7:7 refers to “simplicity, folly, one easily persuaded and enticed (Pro 22:3; 27:12; Psalm 116:6); specifically, a credulous person (Pro 14:15; unskillful (Psa 19:8)”. This same word is used in Proverbs 9:6 “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” As Proverbs 7:7 continues, this person is void of understanding.

A simple one (Hebrew word, phethaim) is a teachable fool. The term phethaim means to be open and while open-minded is often an admirable trait, one can also be naïve, gullible, and too trusting, unable to discern
that which can bring great harm; lacking sense. The simple one is easily persuaded by outside influences and
easily controlled by more dominating personalities. However the simple one can be taught wisdom if he will listen and can thus be instructed in skillful living.

A hardened fool cannot be persuaded by reason or collective wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 reflects “doing wrong is like a joke to a fool”. This character has been “developed by a series of decisions – a life of folly”  (Jackson, 2002), despising wisdom and instruction treating virtues as worthless and contemptible (Ross, 1991). Unable to change, the hardened fool continues in foolishness and can be quite difficult. This fool hates instruction, is contentious, explosive, quick tempered, and often the center of controversy with loose lips. He often associates with evil (Pro 1:22; 18:6; 19:1; 17:12; 20:3, 10:18, 13:19). Proverbs 17:10 shares “a  rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool” and Proverbs 27:22  continues, “Crush a fool in mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his folly will not depart from him”. These hardened hearts are immune to instruction.

A wicked fool (Hebrew term naba for Nabell) referenced in Psa 14:1 “the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God”. These are corrupt individuals doing abominable works issuing a moral insensibility to God reflecting a mind closed to reason.  “We don’t want to be this kind of person, and we do not need wicked, fool-like companionship's (1Cor 15:33)” (Jackson, 2002).

An arrogant fool (Hebrew letz); “scoffer’ is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride” (Pro 21:24) are hecklers who rejoice in the malicious disruptions of meetings. “Scoffers set a city aflame but the wise turn away wrath” (Prov 29:8). Solomon advises that you “drive out a scoffer, and strife will go, and quarreling and abuse will cease” (Pro 22:10). This fool delights in ruining others and is never content in going his own way.

Recently I had the opportunity to listen to Jan Silvious author of Foolproofing Your Life. Jan shared the characteristics of fools while offering hope for individuals who are faced with fools. Jan lists chronic  characteristics of fools explaining that these individuals are habitually this way; it is not a passing moment or temporary meltdown: Fools are always right; will not listen to advice; find no pleasure in understanding; can’t be reasoned with; trust in their own heart; act out repeatedly; continually live in folly; are often big on gifts and can talk nice as well – but are inconsistent, unreliable, and unstable in all ways. She continues that fools hold you hostage through their anger, manipulation, and silent treatment. They simply must have things their own way (Silvious, 2007).  Suggestions Jan offers in dealing with fools is to recognize that you cannot have a relationship with a fool; you have an arrangement defined by the fool and this fool can and will redefine the relationship without warning or consent. She suggests that we emotionally detach from these difficult people and protect our hearts. Establish a safe place retreat (the secret place of the Most High) where you can find  fellowship and safety with the Holy Spirit and the love of others and she encourages us to seek alternative relationships that can meet our emotional needs. Recognize that you do not have to engage these individuals  or be partakers of their emotionally destructive behaviors. Do not allow emotional entanglement and avoid getting caught up in their anger.

WHY WE HAVE FOOLS.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us  wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord (1Cor 1:17-31).

But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1Cor 2:14).

REFERENCES
Gaebelien, F. (Ed.). Ross, A. (Writer).  (1991). Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Proverbs Vol. 5). Zondervan.

Hillman, O (2007, Feb. 11). Becoming a Fool. Prime Time With God, Retrieved Feb. 16, 2007, from Church-Growth.org.

Jackson, Jason (2002). Some Fools in Proverbs. ChristianCourier.com, Retrieved Feb. 16, 2007, from http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/some_fools_in_proverbs

Silvious, Jan (Writer). (2007, Feb. 13). Foolproofing your life [Radio series episode]. In Mid-day Connection. Moody Broadcasting.